If your ballot seems to be missing a school board race, there may be a reason. Under California law, when no more candidates file than there are seats, the race can be canceled and the candidates appointed "in lieu of election." If nobody files, the board or county fills the seat by appointment. The county's Notice of Election says appointments are made when there are no nominees or too few and no petition for an election is filed.
Santa Cruz City Schools
Five of the seven seats were scheduled for this fall. All five incumbents ran unopposed, so they'll be appointed and won't appear on the ballot, Lookout reports. A sixth seat, Area 7 in the Capitola area, opened when longtime trustee Patricia Threet resigned after 14 years. The district planned a provisional appointment through the end of her term in 2028.
Seats nobody filed for
Lookout's countywide roundup found several districts with seats that drew no candidates, pointing to Bonny Doon, the Mountain Elementary district and Scotts Valley. Those seats will be filled by appointment.
Where races are contested
Contested school races on Santa Cruz County ballots include Pajaro Valley Unified, San Lorenzo Valley Unified Area 4, Soquel Union Area 4 and Cabrillo College Area 6.
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.