Title
Conduct of Election - Council Election to be Held on November 3, 2026, Conducted by Maricopa County (Ordinance S-52829) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with Maricopa County to conduct the City of Phoenix Council Election to be held on November 3, 2026, in conjunction with the State General Election according to State law, and authorize payment to Maricopa County not to exceed $300,000. Further authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
In August 2018, voters passed Proposition 411, which moved regularly scheduled Mayor and Council elections from August of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years to be part of the State General Election. Maricopa County will conduct the election according to State law applicable to the General Election.
The regularly scheduled Council Election will be held on November 3, 2026. In this election, registered voters who reside in City Council Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 will elect Council Members.
This request seeks City Council authorization to permit the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with the Maricopa County Elections Department to conduct the Council Election by placing the candidate races for Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8, and City ballot measures, if any, on the County ballot for the General Election; to conduct early voting and voting on Election Day; to process and tabulate the ballots for the election, and to provide unofficial results of all ballots tabulated. This item authorizes the County Board of Supervisors to designate voting locations and appoint election board workers for the conduct of the election, as needed.
Voters on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) will receive notification of the election and will automatically be sent a ballot by mail unless the voter requests that a ballot not be mailed. The City will design, print and mail a Publicity Pamphlet, to be paid for by the City. Households with one or more registered voters will receive the Publicity Pamphlet, which contains general information about the election, including key dates related to when early ballots are due and where to find information about voting locations. The pamphlet will include the official title and text of the City ballot measures, if any, and any arguments filed supporting or opposing the ballot measures. Several publications and news releases will be provided throughout the election process and shared on a variety of platforms, including print and social media. The estimated total cost of the election including payment to the County and City expenses, is approximately $450,000.
All election information will be provided in English and Spanish and will be available at www.phoenix.gov/elections.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the City Clerk Department.