Lake Elsinore Residents Can Track the 2026 Election Filing and Ballot Process

Lake Elsinore residents have until 4 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, to complete the nomination process for the city’s November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election. The nomination period opened at 8 a.m. July 13.

The city identifies Districts 1 and 3 as the regularly scheduled full-term Lake Elsinore City Council contests for 2026. The city’s candidate table, accessed August 5, lists Brian Tisdale as qualified in District 1 and Timothy J. Sheridan as qualified in District 3. It also lists Adela Gonzales and Adelina Vega-Velasquez with nomination papers issued but without completed filing or qualification dates shown.

That information remains preliminary. The city says the table will be updated as the City Clerk receives and processes filings, so residents should not treat the August 5 listing as the final certified ballot.

What Lake Elsinore voters are deciding

Lake Elsinore uses a by-district election system, not an at-large system. Voters in the district with an open seat vote for that district’s council contest rather than voting on every open council seat across the city.

The city switched from at-large elections to by-district elections on February 1, 2018. Residents can use the city’s interactive district map to determine whether their address is in District 1 or District 3 and confirm which council contest should appear on their ballot.

The city’s election page also lists a $5,900 single-source contribution limit for the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.

Candidate information is still subject to change

The city distinguishes among nomination papers being issued, papers being filed and a candidate qualifying for the ballot. As of the August 5 access date, the city table showed:

District 1, full term: Brian Tisdale was listed as qualified. Adela Gonzales was listed with nomination papers issued on August 3, but no filing or qualification date was shown.
District 3, full term: Timothy J. Sheridan was listed as qualified.
District 4, partial term: Michael Carroll was listed as qualified. Adelina Vega-Velasquez was listed with nomination papers issued on July 17, but no filing or qualification date was shown.

District 4 is not one of the regularly scheduled full-term contests identified for 2026. The city’s page separately lists it as a partial-term contest, so residents should rely on the final official election materials for the exact ballot wording and contest details.

The city says the nomination period may be extended under California Elections Code Section 10229 if an incumbent does not file. Residents should check the city’s election page and official county election resources for updates rather than relying on unofficial candidate lists.

Important dates for voters

California’s published election schedule gives residents several dates to plan around:

October 5: County elections officials begin mailing ballots.
October 6: Secure ballot drop-off locations open.
October 19: Last day to register to vote for the November 3 election.
October 24: The first vote centers open for early in-person voting in Voter’s Choice Act counties.
November 3: Election Day. In-person voting and ballot return end at 8 p.m.; polls are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

California says all active registered voters will receive a ballot for the November 3 General Election. Voters can check registration status, voting options and ballot information through the California Secretary of State and Riverside County Registrar of Voters.

How to verify local election information

Start with the City of Lake Elsinore’s election page for the district map, nomination-period information, contribution limit and candidate-status table. The Riverside County Registrar of Voters provides the county election portal, registration resources and district-lookup tools. The California Secretary of State provides statewide registration, ballot-mailing, drop-off, early-voting and Election Day information.

Because the city’s candidate table can change before the August 7 deadline and any applicable extension, residents should verify the final candidate list, district assignment and voting instructions through those official election authorities.

Sources

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