Lafayette, California will not hold a City Council election this November after only three candidates filed for three open seats. The city council appointed all three, saving at least $48,000 in election costs and ensuring uninterrupted leadership.
Lafayette, California will not hold a City Council election this fall after the city council voted to appoint three candidates to open seats, citing a lack of additional contenders. The decision was made at the council's August 20 meeting, following the close of the nomination period on August 12 with only three qualified candidates for three available positions.
Incumbents James Cervantes and Stella Wotherspoon were appointed to new four-year terms that will run through 2030. Mario DiPrisco was selected for a two-year term ending in 2028. The appointments were formalized through Resolution 2026-50, which also officially canceled the November 3 General Municipal Election for the city council seats.
Why the Election Was Canceled
According to city officials, the nomination period ended without any additional candidates filing to run for the three open council seats. With no contested races, the council had the legal authority to appoint the qualified candidates directly, avoiding the need for a municipal election. Councilmember Susan Candell, who has served since 2018 and was mayor in 2021 and 2024, chose not to seek re-election this cycle.
The city estimates that canceling the election will save at least $48,000 in expenses, though officials did not provide a detailed breakdown of the projected savings. Contra Costa County is responsible for coordinating voter registration and election logistics for Lafayette and other local jurisdictions.
What Residents Should Know
The city has not yet announced when James Cervantes, Stella Wotherspoon, and Mario DiPrisco will be sworn into office. The cancellation of the city council election does not affect Lafayette voters' ability to participate in the November 3 General Election, which will still include federal, state, regional, and other local issues on the ballot.
Residents who planned to vote for city council members will not see those races on their ballots this year. All other voting options and polling locations for the general election remain unchanged.
Understanding the Appointment Process
California law allows cities to appoint candidates to office when the number of qualified candidates does not exceed the number of open seats. This process is intended to save public funds and administrative effort when an election would be uncontested. The Lafayette City Council's action ensures that all seats are filled without interruption, maintaining continuity in city governance.
