Elections

Overview

Elections

The City Clerk conducts all regular and special elections and is the City’s Election Official. As the Elections Official, the City Clerk is the point of contact for all things elections-related, including but not limited to: candidates, citizen initiative petitions, measures, and campaign financial filings. The City consolidates elections with the County of Monterey.

Elections for City Council positions are held in November of even-numbered years. Council Members and the Mayor are elected at-large and serve staggering terms. The Mayor’s term is 2 years, and Councilmember terms are 4 years. 

November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election and Ballot Measures

The next General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect:

  • One Mayor, for a term of 2 years
  • Two Councilmembers, for a term of 4 years

Candidates on the Ballot:

The following candidates have qualified for the ballot for the November 3, 2026 election. They are listed here in the order they will appear on the ballot, based on the Monterey County Elections’ randomized alphabet drawing, with their ballot designations. Their optional candidate statements of qualification are provided for public examination on this page, and are also available in the City Clerk’s Office, pursuant to CA Elections Code sec. 9295:

Qualified Candidates for Mayor (Vote for only one)

David Boland, Banking Executive - Candidate Statement of Qualifications

Hans Buder, Carmel City Councilmember - Candidate Statement of Qualifications

Qualified Candidates for Councilmember (Vote for no more than two)

Alissandra Dramov, City Council Member - Candidate Statement of Qualifications

Bobby Richards, Driving Instructor - Candidate Statement of Qualifications

Stefan Karapetkov, Planning Commissioner - Candidate Statement of Qualifications

Measure M – Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Majority Voter Approval Required
To upgrade streets/sidewalks, address beach erosion, enhance wildfire preparedness, maintain City trees, and fund other general government purposes in City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, shall the measure establishing a new 2% transient occupancy tax, paid by lodging guests, in addition to the existing 10% transient occupancy tax, increasing the total tax rate to 12%, with the new 2% tax generating approximately $1,900,000 annually, and the total 12% tax generating $11,700,000 annually, until ended by voters, be adopted?

Yes ____

No ____

Measure N - Transactions and Use Tax (Sales Tax)

Majority Voter Approval Required
To upgrade streets/sidewalks, address beach erosion, enhance wildfire preparedness, maintain City trees, and fund other general government purposes in City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, shall the measure increasing the transactions and use tax (also known as sales tax) by 0.375%, from 1.50% to 1.875%, providing approximately $1,800,000 annually in additional revenue and approximately $9,400,000 annually in total revenue, and extending the total 1.875% tax until ended by voters, with independent audits and all funds benefitting Carmel-by-the-Sea, be adopted?
 

Yes ___

No ___

More information about these ballot measures is posted HERE. 

Candidate Nominations Status

  • The period for filing nomination papers for Mayor and for Councilmember was extended to August 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and has now closed.
  • Candidate List for Nov. 3 , 2026

  This document will no longer be updated as all nominations have closed.

Campaign Disclosure Statements

View Candidate Campaign Finance reports filed on the City’s public portal for campaign finance disclosure: https://netfile.com/public/cml/campaign/elections. Search by date filed for all filers, or view election and seat for qualified candidates only.

2026 Election Updates by Email

Subscribe to the City Clerk’s Election and Candidacy Information email list. 

Important Dates

  • July 13 – August 7, 2026 – Nomination Period
  • July 31, 2026 – Semi-Annual Form 460 Due (for period 1-1-2026 – 6-30-2026), if applicable
  • September 7 – October 20, 2026 – Write-In Candidacy Period
  • September 24, 2026 - 1st Pre-Election 460 Campaign Statement Due
  • October 5, 2026 - Mailing of Vote by Mail Ballots
  • October 19, 2026 – Last day to Register to Vote for the November Election
  • October 22, 2026 - 2nd Pre-Election Campaign Statement Due
  • November 3, 2026 – Election Day
  • December 3, 2026 - Official Canvass of Vote (Certification of Election Results)

Public Notices

Notice of Election on November 3, 2026 – Officers and Ballot Measures

Notice to Voters of Date After Which No Arguments May be Submitted to the City Clerk 

Notice of Nomination Papers Issued as of August 4, 2026

Notice of Nomination Period Extended for office of Mayor and Councilmember

Notice of Nominees for Public Office

Resolutions

Resolution 2026-040 - Calling for the Election on November 3, 2026

Resolution 2026-041 - Adopting Candidate Statement Regulations

Resolution 2026-042 - Ordering Submission of Ballot Measure for TOT increase to the Voters 11-3-2026

Resolution 2026-043 - Ordering Submission of Ballot Measure for Sales tax increase to the Voters 11-3-2026


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