General Municipal Election

The City of Fort Bragg's next municipal election will be held in consolidation with the Mendocino County General Election, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 for the purpose of electing three (3) Councilmember seats, full term of four (4) years. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Want to Run for Fort Bragg City Council:  SPANISH and ENGLISH flyer 

Press Release: Eight Candidates Qualify for Three Seats on Fort Bragg City Council

Tentative City Council Candidate Calendar 

NOVEMBER, 2026 BALLOT MEASURE B

RESO 5039-2026 A Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Submitting a Measure to the Voters at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, Reiterating the City's Request that the Election be Consolidated with the Other Elections Held on that Date and Taking Certain Related Actions approved June 22, 2026

MEASURE B: Fort Bragg Fire Protection 

Fort Bragg Fire Protection Measure. To maintain reliable local fire protection services; replace aging fire engines and emergency response equipment; keep funds locally controlled and unavailable for State use; and require annual audit and public reporting, shall the City of Fort Bragg authorize a $50 annual parcel tax for 10 years, generating approximately $123,900 annually?

YES OR NO

   

       

      


City Attorney's Impartial Analysis received July 2, 2026

Argument in Favor of Measure B received July 6, 2026

NOTICES FOR ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2026
Notice of Election Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Council Members and Measure B Fort Bragg Fire Protection published July 2, 2026
Notice to Voters of Date After Which No Arguments for or Against a City Measure May be Submitted to the City Clerk posted June 23, 2026
Notice of Offices and Nominations posted August 3, 2026

To register to vote, go to:

Candidate Nomination Period

The candidate filing and nomination period is scheduled for July 13, 2026 to August 7, 2026 (unless an incumbent doesn’t apply, then the date is extended to August 12, 2026 for non-incumbents.) All candidates running for office in the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election must complete all required paperwork to turn in to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on the due date. Nomination papers are available from the City Clerk Department by calling 707-961-2823 ext.104 or by emailing cityclerk@fortbraggca.gov to make an appointment once the filing period has begun on July 13th, 2026.

Terms

  • Councilmembers: Four (4) years, elected by the voters. If a Councilmember resigns their seat, the City Council will decide whether to appoint a new person to serve the remainder of the term, leave the seat vacant until the next scheduled election, or hold a special election to fill the seat.
  • The three terms of office up for election are for the period of December 1, 2026 through November 30, 2030.
  • Election to the office of City Council requires a 50% + 1 majority vote threshold.
  • The Mayor is appointed every year on a rotational basis by the City Council.

City Council Meeting Schedule

Second and Fourth Monday of each month at 6 pm, as well as other special meetings, as scheduled. Council Members also sit on various Boards, Commissions, and Committees throughout the community on behalf of the City of Fort Bragg.

Qualifications

In order to be eligible to hold office as a member of the City Council, a candidate must be a registered voter within the corporate limits of the city of Fort Bragg at the time nomination documents are issued by the City Clerk. An eligible voter in the city of Fort Bragg must be an American citizen, 18 years of age or older, and a resident of the city. (Government Code Sections 34882, 34904, 36502).

Campaign Reporting Requirements

Every elected official and public employee who makes or influences governmental decisions is required by State Law to submit a Statement of Economic Interest, also known as the Form 700. The Form 700 provides transparency and ensures accountability in two ways:

  1. It provides necessary information to the public about an official’s personal financial interests to ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not enhancing their personal finances.
  2. It serves as a reminder to the public official of potential conflicts of interest so the official can abstain from making or participating in governmental decisions that are deemed conflicts of interest.

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) provides free, expert advice at their toll free number: (866) ASK FPPC (275-3772). All campaign forms, most manuals, and instructions are available on their website.

California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Regulations

The Political Reform Act requires candidates and committees to file campaign statements by specified deadlines disclosing contributions received and expenditures made. These documents are public and may be audited by the FPPC and Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to ensure that voters are fully informed and improper practices prohibited. It is the responsibility of candidates and committees to understand the rules regulating their campaigns in California.  Please review the Candidate Toolkit provided by FPPC.

Campaign Finance Reporting Calendar

The Political Reform Act requires that all open campaign committees be aware of the filing schedules associated with their specific election.  Missing a filing deadline can have serious consequences ranging from monetary penalties, failure to be listed on the ballot, or FPPC enforcement action.  Please review the filing schedule here.

If you are unsure which filing schedule applies to your election, you can Ask the FPPC for Advice.

City Elections

2026 Candidate/Committee Economic Disclosure Forms

Candidate Statement Office Issued Nomination
Papers		 Papers filed with City Clerk County
Certified
Signers		 Form 700
Filed		 Form 501
Filed		 Form 470/460
Filed		 Form 410 Filed
Filed		 Code of Fair Campaign Practices Filed Qualified 
Date
*Tess Albin-Smith

 City Council 07/13/26 07/15/26 07/15/26 07/13/26 07/15/26     07/15/26 07/16/26
Cara Skinner City Council 07/13/26 Decided not to run for open seat              
*Jason Godeke

 City Council 07/14/26 07/17/26 07/19/26 07/16/26 07/17/26 08/05/26   07/17/26 08/05/26
Scott J. Mayberry

 City Council 07/14/26 08/05/26 08/06/26 07/30/26 08/04/26 08/04/26   08/04/26 08/06/26
Richard Ulveling City Council 07/14/26 08/07/26 08/07/26 08/07/26 08/07/26     08/07/26 08/07/26
*Marcia Rafanan City Council 07/22/26 08/05/26 08/06/26 08/05/26 08/05/26 08/05/26   08/05/26 08/06/26
Mary Ann Schmidt City Council 07/22/26 08/07/26 08/07/26 07/22/26 08/07/26     08/07/26 08/07/26
Levi Cooke City Council 07/24/26 08/06/26 08/06/26 08/06/26 08/06/26 08/07/26   08/06/26 08/07/26
Mary Rose Kaczorowski City Council 07/31/26 08/04/26 08/04/26 08/03/26 08/04/26 08/04/26   08/04/26 08/04/26
                     
                     
                     
*Incumbent                     



2024 Candidate/Committee Economic Disclosure Forms

City Council Member

Candidate Office Pulled Paperwork Declaration of Candidacy Papers Filed with City Clerk County Certificate of Signers Form 460/470 Filed Form 501 Filed Form 700 Filed Date Qualified 3rd Pre-election Statement Code of Fair Campaign Practices
  • Lindy Peters
  • Candidate Statement
 City Council Member 07/15/24 08/14/24 07/25/24 07/26/24 1st 9/26/24
2nd 10/08/24
3rd 10/28/24		 09/26/24 07/25/24 07/26/24   07/25/24
  • Ryan Bushnell
  • Candidate Statement
 City Council Member 07/19/24 07/31/24 09/20/24 07/31/24 07/31/24 09/20/24 09/20/24 07/31/24   07/31/24
  • Bethany Brewer
  • Candidate Statement
 City Council Member 07/15/24 08/05/24 08/05/24 08/06/24     08/05/24 08/06/24   08/05/24
  • Scott Hockett
  • Candidate Statement
 City Council Member 07/30/24 08/14/24 08/14/24   1st 09/19/24
2nd 10/24/24		 09/19/24 08/14/24 08/14/24   08/14/24
  • Melissa "Mel" Salazar
  • Candidate Statement
 City Council Member 08/09/24 08/14/24 08/14/2

PLACEMENT AND REMOVAL OF POLITICAL SIGNS

It is expected that candidates will want to use campaign signs to promote their candidacy. The City asks that each candidate keep in mind the best interests of the community by complying with State and local codes regarding signs. It is important to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance in the City, while providing the opportunity for each of you to make voters aware of your candidacy.

Section 17.100.020 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code defines political signs as follows: 

Political or Social Issue Sign. A sign that addresses:

  1. The passage or defeat of a measure appearing on the ballot in any national, state, or local election;
  2. The election or defeat of any candidate for any public office in any national, state, or local election; or 
  3. An international, national, state, or local political or social issue. 

Political signs may be placed on private property with the consent of the owner. To determine whether your sign is located on property in the Coastal Zone or Inland Zone, see the City's Zoning Map. 

Political signs placed in commercial and industrial districts require a Political Sign Permit and a refundable deposit of $100 per the City of Fort Bragg Fee Schedule.

Political Signs are governed by Fort Bragg Municipal Code Sections 17.38.040(C)(4) for the Coastal Zone and 18.38.040(C)(4) for the Inland Zone.

Coastal Land Use & Development Code

17.38.040 –Sign Permit Requirements
C. Temporary signs.

4. Political signs. Political signs are allowed in compliance with the following requirements.

  1. Prior to the placement of a political sign, the agent/candidate shall post with the City Clerk a plan for the removal of all signs placed in Commercial and Industrial districts and removal of all signs placed by the candidate or their agents in Residential districts. In the event that the signs are not removed in compliance with the plan for removal, the City shall provide notice and summary abatement. The removal plan shall also apply to signs located at campaign or party headquarters.
  2. No political sign shall be erected prior to 60 days before the election to which the sign pertains.
  3. In Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, each political sign and the total political signage on a parcel shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
  4. In Residential districts, no political sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
  5. No political sign shall be located in a public right-of-way.
  6. All political signs shall be removed within 10 days after the election.

Inland Land Use & Development Code

18.38.040 –Sign Permit Requirements

C. Temporary signs.

4. Signs are allowed 90 days prior to an election and five days after an election so long as the sign is in compliance with the following requirements:

  1. In Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, each temporary sign and the total temporary signage on a parcel shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
  2. In Residential districts, no temporary sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
  3. No temporary sign shall be located in a public right-of-way

Submit completed applications and deposit checks payable to the City of Fort Bragg to:

City Clerk
City of Fort Bragg
416 N. Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

If signs are removed within the timeframes noted above, candidates may request a refund of the $100 deposit from the City Clerk. If the signs are not timely removed, the City will retain the deposit to cover the cost of sign removal.
Custom patriotic yard sign featur

Political Sign Permit Application