Not every school board race in East Contra Costa County is a big-district contest. Two of the smallest elementary districts in the area, Knightsen and Oakley Union, have contested races on the Nov. 3 ballot. Here is who is running and how to read your ballot.

Knightsen School District: three candidates, two seats

Knightsen is a tiny rural district. Ballotpedia says 648 students attended its two schools in the 2025 school year, and the five-member board serves four-year terms. Voters pick up to two of three candidates, according to the county’s contest list:

  • Erik M. Hansen, listed with the ballot designation electrical engineer.
  • Liesel Williams, an incumbent.
  • Robin Pastor, an incumbent.

Ballot designations come from Local News Matters’ Contra Costa ballot guide. None of the three had completed Ballotpedia’s candidate survey when we checked, so detailed platforms are thin. The county lists about 2,782 registered voters in the district.

Oakley Union Elementary Area 4: Pearson vs. Mateas

In Trustee Area 4 of the Oakley Union Elementary School District, voters choose one of two candidates: incumbent Craig Pearson and Isaiah B.N. Mateas, whose ballot designation is teacher.

The Contra Costa Herald reports that Mateas, 23, has worked since August 2025 as an elementary theatre teacher in Pittsburg Unified, teaching students from preschool through fifth grade. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre directing from UCLA in 2024. He says he is the sibling of a student who received special education services in the Oakley district.

Mateas lists three priorities: strengthening special education and outreach to diverse communities, keeping good teachers through competitive pay and support, and expanding arts education. “I’m running because I want to ensure every student has access to a safe, supportive, and high-quality education while giving educators the tools they need to succeed,” he told the Herald.

Pearson had not completed Ballotpedia’s candidate survey when we checked, and we did not find a published platform. The county lists about 6,504 registered voters in Area 4.

Oakley voters will not see a City Council race this year. That election was canceled after too few candidates filed. Brentwood-area high school voters also decide Liberty Union’s Measure X bond. 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.