General Elections FAQ

In November 2024, the City of Foster City transitioned to district elections for its five city council seats in November of even numbered years. Council Members serve staggering four-year terms. The next General Municipal Election will be held in 2026 for two City Council seats for full four-year terms ending 2030 in District 1 and District 2. To find your district or get more information on the transition to district elections, click here.

For general election information, please visit the San Mateo County Register of Voters website: https://www.smcacre.org/elections

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who may register to vote?

You may register to vote if you meet all of the following requirements:

Citizen of the United States
Resident of California
At least 18 years of age on or before Election Day
Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
Not prohibited from voting by a court because of mental incompetency

16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote if they meet all of the following requirements:

Citizen of the United States
Resident of California
Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
Not prohibited from voting by a court because of mental incompetency

 

Once your registration form is received and processed, the San Mateo County Registrar of Voters will send you a Voter Notification Card within three to four weeks indicating that you are now a registered voter. You can also check your eligibility online. If you are unsure about your voting status, please call the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division at 650.312.5222.

Category: Elections
2. Where can I register to vote?

You may register online, or by completing a Voter Registration Form.

To register online, visit: http://registertovote.ca.gov/ 

To register by completing a Voter Registration Form, you may obtain a form at public libraries, city and county offices, California Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and at U.S. Post Offices, or via on-line download. You may also call the San Mateo County Election office at (650) 312-5222 to mail a form to you within one business day. For information about registering to vote, visit: https://www.smcacre.org/register-vote 

Category: Elections
2a. When is the deadline to register to vote?

You may register at any time, but to be eligible to vote in an upcoming election, your Voter Registration Form must be received no later than 15 days before that election.

However, if you have not registered by the deadline, you can still vote under Conditional Voter Registration (CVR).

For registration information, please visit: https://www.smcacre.org/voter-registration

Category: Elections
3. When can I vote for City Council?

The City of Foster City recently transitioned to district elections for its five City Council seats in November of even numbered years. Council Members serve staggered four-year terms. The next General Municipal Election will be held in 2026 for two City Council seats for full four-year terms ending 2030 in District 1 and District 2. Voters may only vote for the City Council member for the district they reside in (once every four years).

To find your district or get more information on the transition to district elections, click here.

Category: Elections
4. What are my voting options?

All San Mateo County voters will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot. San Mateo County voters now have two easy options to vote: Vote by Mail and Vote Centers. Both options are available 29 days before Election Day, providing a convenient range of voting days to meet anyone’s schedule. 

For information about voting options, please visit: https://smcacre.gov/elections/voting

Category: Elections
5. When is the deadline to return my vote-by-mail ballot?

For information about voting by mail, please visit: https://www.smcacre.org/post/vote-mail-ballots

Category: Elections
6. When will I receive my County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet and State Voter Information Guide for the upcoming election?

The San Mateo County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet and California State Voter Information Guide are mailed 29 days before an election.
 

Category: Elections
7. What are the scheduled elections this year, and what are the contests on the ballot?

For information about upcoming elections in Foster City, visit: https://www.fostercity.org/cityclerk/page/general-election-information

For more information about contests on the ballot, please visit: https://smcacre.gov/elections

Category: Elections
8. Are there local Foster City contests that will appear on the ballot? What are the filing periods for candidates and measures for the election(s) this year?

For  information about local elections or running for City Council, please contact: clerk@fostercity.org

Category: Elections
9. Where can I get the election results?

The counting of ballots will commence when all polls are closed within the County of San Mateo. It is anticipated that the first report of preliminary results will be released after the close of the polls on Election Night.

The San Mateo County Registrar of Voters will release final election results no later than the end of the canvass period as required by the state election law.

Preliminary and final results will be posted on the San Mateo County website: https://www.smcacre.org/elections

Category: Elections
  • Printer-friendly version