Irvine election filing deadline arrives Friday for November city contests

Irvine candidates seeking the mayor’s office or City Council seats in Districts 1, 5 and 6 have until 5 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, to file nomination papers for the city’s November election.

The deadline closes the nomination period for the November 3, 2026, general municipal election. The election notice lists four offices: mayor, plus one City Council seat each in Districts 1, 5 and 6.

How candidates must file

Nomination papers are available from and must be filed with the Irvine City Clerk’s Office. Candidates must make an appointment before obtaining and submitting the materials.

The City Clerk’s Office is on the third floor of City Hall at 1 Civic Center Plaza. Candidates can schedule an appointment by calling 949-724-6205. The city lists Friday office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday through Thursday hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Candidates for Districts 1, 5 and 6 must also have their addresses verified to confirm that they live in the district they seek to represent.

Which offices are on the ballot

The city’s notice calls for the election of an at-large mayor for a two-year term and one councilmember from each of Districts 1, 5 and 6 for four-year terms.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters’ candidate handbook says candidates for city offices obtain and file candidacy forms with the city clerk in the relevant city. It also states that a person is not considered a legally qualified candidate unless the required declaration of candidacy or write-in declaration has been filed with the election official.

What happens after Friday

Campaign announcements, endorsements and unofficial candidate lists should not be treated as the final ballot field. Residents should check processed filings and later election notices from the City Clerk and Orange County election officials before relying on a candidate list.

There is a limited exception to the regular deadline. If an eligible incumbent does not file for reelection by 5 p.m. August 7, the filing period for that office may be extended through 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026, for qualified candidates other than the incumbent. The city’s election notice says that extension does not apply to District 6 because no incumbent is eligible to be elected there.

Ranked-choice voting measure also headed to voters

In addition to the municipal offices, Irvine voters will consider a ranked-choice voting measure on the November 3 ballot. The City Council adopted a resolution on July 14 ordering the measure’s submission to voters; the proposal has not been approved by voters.

The measure is separate from the candidate filing deadline, but it will appear in the same municipal election. Residents should review the official voter materials and ballot language when they are published.

Key dates for Irvine voters

• July 13, 2026: Nomination period opened.
• August 7, 2026, at 5 p.m.: Regular candidate filing deadline.
• August 12, 2026, at 5 p.m.: Possible extension deadline for certain offices if an eligible incumbent does not file; the extension does not apply to District 6.
• November 3, 2026: General municipal election.

Residents tracking Irvine’s mayoral and council contests should watch the City Clerk’s election information and Orange County election updates after the filing period closes. Those official updates will provide the most reliable information about which candidates qualified and what will appear on the November ballot.

Sources

• City of Irvine Election Information
• Orange County Registrar of Voters 2026 November Candidate Handbook
• Ranked-choice voting reform goes before Irvine voters in November