Real-Time Results: Redwood City Midterm Election 2026

Redwood City voters have fewer local council races to follow this year. Chris Sturken, Kaia Eakin and Diane Howard are each running unopposed for their respective City Council seats in Districts 2, 5 and 6, so there are no head-to-head council contests in the city.

One of the bigger races on the ballot for local voters is the contest for California's 15th Congressional District, where Democratic Rep. Kevin Mullin is seeking another term against Republican Charles Hoelter. As of 1o p.m. on Tuesday, Mullin had a comfortable lead over Hoelter.

Voters are also weighing Measure E, a Redwood City ballot measure, with early returns Tuesday night showing the “No” vote ahead.

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As of September, the California Secretary of State reported that 23,164,977 Californians were registered to vote, which accounts for more than 85 percent of the state's eligible voting population.

Not surprisingly, there are far more registered Democrats than Republicans in the state, with 45 percent for the former and 25 percent for the latter.

In San Mateo County, the rate of voter registration is high. As of September, it was 85 percent — with 54 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 14 percent as Republicans.

Record Turnout

Based on early voting, California is poised to see 60 percent of registered voters head to the polls, a record for a gubernatorial race, Paul Mitchell, of political data analysis firm Political Data told The San Francisco Chronicle.

While the governor’s race was expected to be called early Tuesday, it’s California’s congressional races and ballot measures poised to offer the biggest upsets and surprises. Hanging in the balance is control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mitchell predicted that five key redrawn congressional districts appear poised to deliver Democratic victories driven, in part, by high turnout among Latino voters.

“I think the blue wave is on track,” Mitchell told The Chronicle. “It seems to be on track that we’re going to have a really strong turnout.”

So far, voter turnout has been higher in competitive races such as the Central Valley’s District 22 and the 48th Congressional District in San Diego — two districts Democrats hope to flip after their mid-decade gerrymander.

As of Oct. 29, Democratic voters represented 51 percent of ballots returned statewide compared to just 28 percent among Republican voters, according to the Political Data tracker.

California State Assembly, District 21

Democratic Assemblymember Diane Papan is seeking another term representing California's 21st Assembly District against Republican challenger Jabra J. Muhawieh. The district includes communities on the Bayside of San Mateo County, including San Mateo, Redwood City and Pacifica. Papan was first elected to the Assembly in 2022.

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San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 5

The 2026 election for San Mateo County Board of Supervisors District 5 is a special election to fill a vacancy. The candidates are Mark Nagales, a South San Francisco vice mayor, and Juslyn Cabrera Manalo, a Daly City councilmember. The district includes portions of northern and eastern San Mateo County.

Redwood City City Council, District 2

Chris Sturken is the only candidate listed for Redwood City's District 2 City Council seat. Sturken is seeking another term representing the district and is running unopposed.

Redwood City City Council, District 5

Kaia Eakin is the only candidate listed for Redwood City's District 5 City Council seat. Eakin, the incumbent, is running unopposed for another term on the council.

Redwood City City Council, District 6

Diane Howard is the only candidate listed for Redwood City's District 6 City Council seat. Howard, the incumbent, is running unopposed for another term.

U.S. House, District 15

Democratic Rep. Kevin Mullin is seeking another term in California's 15th Congressional District against Republican challenger Charles Hoelter. The district includes San Mateo County communities including San Mateo and Redwood City. Mullin, who previously served in the California State Assembly, was first elected to Congress in 2022. Hoelter is a Republican candidate challenging Mullin for the seat.

Countywide Measures

Measure L – San Mateo County Charter Amendment: Extreme Weather Events

Measure L would amend the San Mateo County Charter to make long-term resilience to extreme weather events a county priority. The amendment specifically identifies threats including wildfire, flooding, wind, rain, heat, drought and sea-level rise and calls for the county to work with cities, districts and other public agencies on resilience efforts. It would not otherwise change the County Charter and requires a simple majority to pass.

Measure AA – San Mateo County Charter Amendment: Affirmation of Rights

Measure AA would amend the San Mateo County Charter to affirm the county's commitment to the dignity, civil rights and equal protection of all county residents. The amendment would add language supporting equity, fairness, inclusion, belonging, accessibility and opportunity. It would not change other provisions of the Charter and requires a simple majority to pass.

Measure J – San Mateo County Charter Amendment: Filling Vacancies

Measure J would change the county's rules for filling vacancies in elected offices other than the Board of Supervisors. It would give the Board of Supervisors up to 60 days, instead of 30, to either appoint someone or call a special election. Before making an appointment, the Board would also have to hold at least one noticed public meeting to receive public comment on the appointment and potential candidates. The measure requires a simple majority to pass.

Measure U – San Mateo County Charter Amendment: Supervisorial Redistricting

Measure U would require San Mateo County's five supervisorial districts to be redrawn after each federal census by an independent redistricting commission rather than by the Board of Supervisors. The measure would not change other requirements for supervisors, including that they live in the district they represent, serve four-year terms and face a three-term limit. It requires a simple majority to pass.

Local Measures

Measure E – City of Redwood City: Rent Control and Eviction Limits

Measure E would change Redwood City's rent-control and eviction rules for certain residential properties. It would extend rent control to specified units built before Feb. 1, 1995, cap annual rent increases at 60 percent of local inflation and no more than 5 percent, and expand just-cause eviction protections to additional types of housing. The measure would also increase relocation assistance for certain no-fault evictions, establish additional tenant protections and give the city new responsibilities for setting rents, reviewing tenant safety plans and administering the program. It requires a simple majority to pass.

School Measures

Measure V – San Mateo County Community College District: Bond Measure

Measure V would authorize the San Mateo County Community College District to issue up to $848 million in bonds for facility and infrastructure improvements. Projects could include upgrades to buildings, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and utility systems; repairs to roofs and other aging facilities; safety and security improvements; technology upgrades; and improvements to classrooms, labs, roads, walkways and parking areas. The district estimates the highest annual tax rate would be $18 per $100,000 of assessed value, with bonds potentially lasting until June 2049. Bond proceeds could not be used for regular teacher or administrator salaries. The measure requires 55 percent approval.

For more information, visit smcacre.gov/elections.

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Gubernatorial Race

California voters headed to the polls Tuesday, facing high gas and grocery prices, the effects of climate change on wildfires and rising seas amid a shortage in insurance coverage and the ever-present housing affordability crisis.

The governor’s race was somewhat anticlimactic following a chaotic primary with a crowded field of candidates roiled when the frontrunner was forced to step down amid sexual assault allegations. Since then, Becerra maintained a steady lead over Hilton in the polls.

In the final days of the election, a new SurveyUSA poll showed Becerra with a 22-point lead.

Click here for real-time results in the California Governor’s races.

Congressional Races

All 52 of California’s Congressional seats were on the ballot.

Congressional races across California were under intense scrutiny following voter approval of Proposition 50, a partisan redistricting measure expected to reshape the state’s political map. Thanks to the redistricting, only a handful of districts were truly competitive. Democrats hoped to flip as many as five Republican House seats in a bid to overturn the GOP’s slim House majority.

Democrats think they can flip as many as five seats, with four seeming very much in reach, according to the polls. Both parties are spending like control of the House is on the line.

Click here for real-time results in California’s Congressional races.

Propositions

There were 14 statewide propositions on the ballot this week. Arguably, the most hot-button ballot initiatives involve taxation. Proposition 40 is the highly discussed billionaire tax, while Propositions 41 and 42 aim to counter the measure. Proposition 3 also addresses taxes on the state's highest earners.

Click here for real-time results for all of California’s ballot measures.