Election Information

Poway is a General Law city governed by a 5-member City Council. A Mayor and four members of the City Council are elected to serve 4-year terms. In 2020, the City completed the transition to by-district elections for the four City Council seats. The Mayor continues to be elected on a citywide basis. Poway consolidates its General Municipal Elections with the Statewide General Elections held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. View Council Districts Map

The City Clerk is the City's Elections Official and is responsible for coordinating the Election with San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office, as well as distributing nomination papers, processing ballot measures and petitions, and maintaining all campaign statements and conflict of interest filings required by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

General Qualifications

Candidates must be all of the following:

  • A U.S. Citizen
  • At least eighteen (18) years of age on or before Election day
  • A resident and registered voter in the City of Poway (If running for a City Council District Seat, you must reside within that district)

Special Municipal Election - June 2, 2026

The June 2, 2026 Special Election will be held to elect one city council member from District 2 for the remainder of the current four (4) year term expiring November, 2028.

Election Resolutions

Notice of Election

Nomination Period

To run for office, you must pull and file nomination papers during the nomination period of February 9, 2026 through March 6, 2026 by 5 p.m., by appointment only. Contact the City Clerk to schedule an appointment at cityclerk@poway.org or 858-668-4530.

Click here to check your voter registration status.

Candidate Statements

(Names are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot as determined by the Secretary of State)

District Elections

Following the 2020 Census, the City followed the State required process to re-evaluate the four City Council districts to ensure the districts comply with all state and federal requirements. On February 1, 2022, the City Council unanimously adopted a new district map (PDF) that maintains the previously adopted City Council district boundaries. View the Council District map..

For the most up-to-date information, please contact the Poway City Clerk’s Office by phone 858-668-4530 or via email cityclerk@poway.org.

Candidate Fees

There are no City of Poway filling fees, however, candidates who choose to have their "Candidate Statement of Qualifications" printed in the sample ballot issued by the County Registrar of Voters must bear the actual cost of printing and distribution. Candidates who opt for this printing are required to pay a deposit when the nomination paper and forms are filed with the Poway City Clerk, and final payment is due upon receipt from the Registrar of Voters (ROV) following the election.

Political Sign Regulations

Campaign Finance Regulations

Campaign statements filed in the City Clerk's Office are made available online. The public portals contain financial information provided by Candidates and Committees. Use the portal to search and review campaign statements. 

Additional Information