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ELECTIONS

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The City of El Cajon is a Charter City. The City Council is made up of an elected Mayor and four (4) district Councilmembers. The City’s first District Election took place on November 6, 2018 for the Mayor, and Councilmember for District 1. Councilmembers for District 2, District 3, and District 4 were selected by voters within those districts in the 2020 General Municipal Election. The Mayor will continue to be elected by all voters within the City of El Cajon.

The City of El Cajon consolidates its General Municipal Elections with the Statewide General Elections, administered by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office.

Upcoming Election Information:

The next General Municipal Election will be held in the City of El Cajon, CA on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 for the following offices:

  • Mayor
  • One Councilmember, for District 1

Both seats will be for a full four-year term, expiring in December 2030.

Candidate Filing Period:

The candidate filing period is Monday, July 13, 2026 to Friday, August 7, 2026. All candidates must be registered voters of the City of El Cajon at the time nomination papers are issued and also reside in the district they are seeking to represent.

If the incumbent for either seat does not file by August 7, 2026 deadline, the deadline will be extended to  August 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for non-incumbent candidates.

Nomination Papers may be obtained from and returned to the City Clerk by appointment only, from July 13, 2026 through August 7, 2026, during normal working hours as follows:

  • Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Alternate Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • As part of our 9/80 schedule, City Hall will be dark on the following Fridays:
      • July 17, 2026
      • July 31, 2026

The filing period to be a Write-in Candidate open son September 7, 2026 and closes on October 20, 2026. 

The City of El Cajon adopted Ordinance No. 5108 on March 23, 2021, to establish the local campaign contribution limits to be $10,000.00. The Ordinance became effective on April 22, 2021. Information on contribution limits may be found on the Fair Political Practices Commission website.

General Qualifications:

A Candidate must be all of the following: 

  • A U.S. Citizen; 
  • At least eighteen (18 years of age) on or before Election Day; and
  • A resident of the district they wish to represent.

Find My District:

  • Find your election district by seeing the Council District Map.
  • Enter your street address in the upper right-hand corner and zoom in and out of the map as needed by clicking the + or - sign in the upper left-hand corner.

 

For more information on running for office in El Cajon please contact Angela Cortez, City Clerk, at (619) 441-1763.

   

Information Resources: