Contra Costa County has dozens of school board seats up this year, but not all of them appear on the ballot. When only one candidate files for a seat, the race is often dropped from the ballot and that candidate takes office without a vote. Here are the seats where that happened or where too few people filed.

West Contra Costa Unified

Richmondside reports that both WCCUSD seats up this year drew one candidate each, so the candidates will take office in January. Board clerk Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy starts a third term in Area 4. Newcomer Caitlin Garibaldi, an El Cerrito resident and Fairmont Elementary parent, will represent Area 5. The Grandview Independent quotes the teachers union president saying both were “elected by acclamation.” WCCUSD voters still decide the Measure V parcel tax.

San Ramon Valley Unified

Ballotpedia reports the elections for Areas 1 and 4 were canceled after unopposed candidates won outright. Amanda Butland won Area 1 and incumbent Susanna Ordway kept Area 4. The district’s one contested seat is Area 5, Rachel Hurd vs. Joel Woods.

Acalanes Union High

Lamorinda Weekly reports that incumbents Jennifer Chen (Area 3) and Nancy Kendzierski (Area 5) are running unopposed. Only Area 1, Schweppe vs. Iyengar is contested.

Moraga and Lafayette elementary districts

These two districts have fewer candidates than seats, according to Lamorinda Weekly. In Moraga, three seats are up but only incumbents Larry Jacobs and Martha White filed; Kristin Kraetsch is not running again. In Lafayette, incumbents Katy Foreman and Rob Strum are running for three seats; Dave Smith is not seeking reelection. Neither district appears on the county’s contest list, so neither has a race on the ballot. The districts will have to fill the remaining seat in each.

Antioch Unified Area 2

Incumbent Jag Lathan did not run again, the Antioch Herald reported in August. Oakley resident Roxanne Reece had no opponent then, and the filing period was extended by five days. Area 2 is not on the county’s contest list. Antioch’s contested seat is Area 5, Rocha vs. Dawkins.

County and college boards

On the County Board of Education, Mike Maxwell keeps the Area 4 seat after no challenger emerged, Danville San Ramon reports. On the Contra Costa Community College District board, Richmondside reports incumbent Andy Li is unopposed in Ward 4.

Contested Contra Costa school races this year include County Board of Education Area 2, Mt. Diablo Unified and Walnut Creek School District. For drop boxes and vote centers, see our Contra Costa voting guide.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center. For more local races and measures, see our 2026 Bay Area election hub.