San Joaquin City cancels November municipal election after incumbents run unopposed

San Joaquin City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Resolution 09012025 to cancel the Nov. 4 municipal general election after the three incumbents for mayor and two council seats filed unopposed. The action removes the city from holding a local election on Nov. 4, and city staff said the incumbents will be considered elected and sworn in at the start of the next term. City staff member Norm told the council that “the 3 the 3 were the only the 3 incumbents were the only filed for these elect these positions. They ran unopposed, and, also, we went through the full time for any other residents to come in and do a a write in ballot, and nobody did that.” He added the resolution was prepared by the city’s legal counsel and that the step is required under state law to cancel an uncontested municipal race. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. Mayor (presiding) asked for the motion; after it was moved and seconded, Councilmembers Travis, Lynn, Jeff and Art each voted “Aye.” Norm also told the council the cancellation will save the city “just short of $50,000” that otherwise would have been needed to run the election. Why this matters: Canceling a local election affects how and when officials are formally declared elected and reduces short-term administrative and financial costs for the city. The resolution directs staff to follow state procedures for declaring those candidates elected and setting a swearing-in date. The council did not schedule a special meeting on the matter; staff said the incumbents will be sworn in at the start of the next term (Norm said it is expected to be the first Monday in January, to be verified by staff).