Clearlake, California Public Records

Voter registration is available online through the California Secretary of State's website at https://registertovote.ca.gov. The state allows same-day voter registration through Election Day at vote centers and county elections offices via conditional voter registration. Registration requires a California driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number, along with a residence address. While traditional registration closes 15 days before an election, conditional registration remains available through Election Day. Residents aged 16 and 17 can pre-register, with registration becoming active when they turn 18. Municipal elections in Clearlake determine City Council seats and the mayor position. The city operates under a council-manager form of government with a five-member City Council elected to four-year staggered terms, with the mayor selected from among council members. These elections typically occur in November of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide general elections. The next City Council election is scheduled for November 2026, when two or three council seats will appear on the ballot. Local ballot measures, including sales tax measures or municipal bond proposals, periodically appear before voters. Candidate filing information and local measure details are available through both the City Clerk's office and the County Registrar of Voters. Residents can find their assigned polling place or vote center location by visiting the Lake County Registrar of Voters website or using the California Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place. The county has transitioned to the Voter's Choice Act model, providing vote centers open for multiple days before Election Day at various locations throughout Lake County. This allows voters to cast ballots at any vote center rather than being assigned to a specific precinct polling place. Public election records in California include voter registration lists (available to candidates and committees for election purposes, with restrictions on commercial use), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov), candidate statements and filing documents, and precinct-level election results. The County Registrar publishes detailed election results by precinct on the Lake County website following certification. Individual voter history—which elections a person voted in, but not how they voted—is also public record. The November 2024 presidential election saw approximately 65-70% voter turnout among registered voters in Lake County, with mail-in ballots accounting for the majority of votes cast, consistent with California's vote-by-mail system where all registered voters automatically receive mail ballots. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several significant races for local voters. At the state level, all 80 California State Assembly seats and 20 of the 40 State Senate seats will be contested, including Lake County's representatives in the Assembly (District 4) and Senate. The Governor's office is not up for election in 2026 (next contested in 2026). All statewide constitutional offices except Governor will be on the ballot. At the Lake County level, Lake County Board of Supervisors seats for Districts 2 and 4 will be contested, along with county offices such as Sheriff-Coroner, District Attorney, Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder, and Treasurer-Tax Collector (depending on term schedules). City Council seats will also appear on the ballot as noted above. Statewide ballot propositions addressing various policy issues are also expected. California voters can request mail-in ballots (called vote-by-mail ballots) through the Lake County elections office; however, the state automatically mails ballots to all registered voters beginning 29 days before Election Day. Voters can track their ballot status through the state's "Where's My Ballot?" system at https://wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov. Mail ballots can be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day), deposited in official drop boxes located throughout Lake County, or brought to any vote center. Military and overseas voters can register and receive ballots electronically through the Federal Voting Assistance Program.