GONZALES, Monterey County — October 15, 2026. The City of Gonzales is holding a general municipal election on November 3, 2026, including a citywide mayoral office and elections tied to three City Council districts. Not every Gonzales voter chooses a council representative from every district.
Which City Council districts are scheduled?
Gonzales Municipal Code Chapter 1.20, Section 1.20.120 schedules council elections in Districts 1 and 3 for full terms and District 4 for an initial two-year term in 2026. The city’s mayor remains elected citywide under the municipal code. District 2 was on the 2024 schedule and is not listed as an ordinary 2026 election in that section.
District-based voting means a resident’s street address determines which district seat they can vote for. Do not treat the four district contests as a single citywide council ballot.
Who will appear on the ballot?
The municipal code identifies which offices are scheduled but does not identify the final qualified candidates. The City of Gonzales website links to its July 20, 2026 Notice of Election, which covers the municipal offices, district voter eligibility and candidate filing process. The Monterey County Elections city office directory lists mayor and council term dates, but an officeholder’s name should not be assumed to be a certified 2026 candidate.
For the exact candidate roster and official ballot wording, check the Monterey County Elections Department or your mailed sample ballot. California58 will update candidate details when confirmed from an official candidate list.
Why does the two-year seat matter?
The District 4 initial two-year term differs from the normal four-year cycle and helps align future staggered district elections. Voters should check the ballot title and term length, not assume all council seats carry the same term.
What else is on the November ballot?
Residents also vote in California statewide races and propositions, with federal, state legislative, county and other district contests determined by their exact address. See the Monterey County Election 2026 guide. Election Day polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the ordinary voter-registration deadline is October 19. Eligible residents who miss it should check conditional registration options.
Official records
- Gonzales Municipal Code: District election schedule and mayoral election
- City of Gonzales: Notice of Election and local government information
- Monterey County Elections: city offices and terms
- Official voter information in Spanish and audio formats
Gonzales News welcomes corrections, candidate forum announcements and documented neighborhood election questions at california58com@gmail.com. This article is nonpartisan and makes no endorsement.
Municipal code, city election notice and county office directory reviewed October 15, 2026. The final county sample ballot controls.
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