Pleasanton Unified elects trustees by area, and Area 5 is the contested seat on the Nov. 3 ballot. The race comes at a tense time for the district's finances. The board also recently voted 3-2 to raise its own stipend.
The candidates
- Thomas Choi is an attorney. His ballot statement points to PUSD's negative budget certification and depleted reserves and makes finances the core of his campaign.
- Karen Fletcher is a teacher and parent who teaches engineering and robotics at Livermore High. She worked as an aerospace engineer before teaching.
- Brett Gerald Martinez is listed as a business owner.
Why the budget matters
A negative certification means a district has told the county office of education it may not be able to pay its bills for the current year or the next. That brings more oversight from the county, so whoever wins Area 5 will help decide on cuts and reserve rebuilding.
Pleasanton voters also choose a mayor and two council seats and decide Measure HH.
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.