Cupertino Elections Info

2026 Cupertino City Council Candidates

The City posts the following information as a courtesy only, and the posting should not be considered as either support or opposition for any candidate.

The City of Cupertino will hold an election for three City Council seats on November 3. This information will be updated throughout the nomination period.

Nomination Papers Issued for Cupertino City Council

Candidate Statements

The City of Cupertino allows for an optional 200-word candidate statement outlining the candidate’s education and qualifications as expressed by the candidate to be published in the Voter Information Pamphlet. Both the statement and the estimated fee payment of $3,900.00 are due when nomination papers are filed.

The following candidate statements were submitted for the November 3, 2026 election:

Mark Fantozzi(PDF, 54KB)

J.R. Fruen(PDF, 54KB)

Tracy Kosolcharoen(PDF, 87KB)

Gopal Kumarappan(PDF, 115KB)

Seema Sharma Lindskog(PDF, 53KB)

Santosh Rao(PDF, 85KB)

John Tang(PDF, 54KB)

1. Notice of Election (City Council Seats)(PDF, 4MB)
2. Notice of Offices(PDF, 87KB)
3. Notice of Arguments for or Against a City Measure(PDF, 86KB)
4. Notice of Election (Ballot Measure L)(PDF, 3MB)
5. Notice of Nominees(PDF, 3MB)

Guidelines and Restrictions for Campaign Activity

Councilmembers must be registered voters within City of Cupertino limits. Residents of unincorporated County pockets do not qualify. Please note that postal and school boundaries are different than City boundaries.

Candidate Restrictions on Campaign Activity(PDF, 646KB)

This policy outlines the basic rules and principles governing the campaign activity of City Council Candidates.

Contribution Limits

Cupertino follows the default campaign contribution limits covered by AB 571. The default limit for contributions to candidates for 2025-2026 is set at $5,900 per election.

Expenditure Limits

Council considers setting a voluntary campaign expenditure limit for campaign funds for each election. The voluntary expenditure limit for the 2026 election is $50,000.
Setting Expenditure Limit Resolution: Pursuant to applicable election laws and the City of Cupertino Municipal Code, the City Council may adopt a resolution establishing voluntary campaign expenditure limits for candidates participating in a City election. The adopted resolution, including the applicable expenditure limits and requirements, is provided below for public reference.

CC-Resolution-No.-26-054-setting-a-voluntary-campaign-expenditure-limit-of-50000-for-the-November-3-2026-City-Council-election.pdf(PDF, 354KB).

Council Composition and Salary

Five Council members are elected at-large for overlapping, four-year terms. The election is non-partisan, and is held in November of even numbered years. Once seated, Council members themselves elect the Mayor and Vice Mayor for a term of one year. Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:45 p.m. usually lasting until 12:00 a.m. Council members typically spend 20-40 hours each week on their responsibilities.

Cupertino Municipal Code Section 2.16.020 sets Council member salaries at $618.85 per month. Upon beginning a new term of office for a Councilmember, the Council receives a salary of $730.24 per month. Members also receive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits, and may qualify for Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) benefits.

Ethics

All candidates are given the State’s Code of Fair Campaign Ethics and may voluntarily choose to sign that form and file it with the City Clerk. Violations of this form are reported to the Fair Political Practices Commission at 1.800.561.1861.

Filing Obligations

Candidates and seated Council members file a number of mandatory and voluntary documents. They include but are not limited to the following:

The Candidate Statement that is printed in the Voter’s Information Pamphlet (voluntary).

A Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700), in which the candidate discloses personal financial information that may create a potential conflict of interest (mandatory).

Several Campaign Disclosure Forms, which disclose funding sources and how the funds were spent (mandatory).

Note: If a candidate raises or spends $2,000 or more, that candidate officially qualifies as a controlled committee, and therefore must file a Form 410, Statement of Organization and identify a treasurer. Although the candidate may serve as his or her own treasurer, it is strongly recommended that the candidate select another person to serve in that function, preferably someone with experience in basic accounting. The candidate and treasurer filing obligations continue on a semi-annual basis until the candidate leaves the Council or terminates the committee. Fines may be imposed for non-compliance.

Sign Regulations

City of Cupertino
Temporary Political Sign Guidance for 2026 Election Season

In order to ensure that no complaints are received regarding your campaign signs, please follow the rules below, as well as any applicable State requirements.

Size and Design of Temporary Political Signs

• Signs shall have no more than two sides (i.e. faces).
• Signs shall be no larger than four square feet in area per side (i.e. per face).
• Signs shall not be illuminated.

Location (Private Property)

• Political signs are allowed on private property everywhere in the City with the written or oral consent of the property owner or other person entitled to possession.
• Political signs are allowed wherever any allowed commercial message or any other protected noncommercial message is permitted.

Location (Public Property and Public Right-of-way)

• Political signs may be located in the public right-of-way (e.g. in the park strip between the curb and sidewalk) of residential and institutional districts only, subject to the other restrictions listed.
• Political signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way in any districts other than residential and institutional districts (e.g. they are not allowed in commercial or industrial districts).
• Signs shall not be located on the street or on street medians (e.g. center dividers between lanes)
• Signs must not be attached to public property, such as sidewalks, fences, walls, public playground equipment, street lamp posts, traffic lights, telephone poles, utility cabinets, hydrants, trees, buildings, etc.
• Political signs are allowed wherever any allowed commercial message or any other protected noncommercial message is permitted.

Clearance Around Signs:

• All parts of the sign shall be set back a minimum of 18 inches from the face of the curb or from the edge of the street, bicycle or vehicle travel lane.
• Signs shall maintain 36 inches of clear and continuous width to allow pedestrian passage along a sidewalk or pathway.
• Signs shall not restrict in any way the safe vision of any vehicular or pedestrian traffic or obstruct any directional or safety signs permitted by the City.

Removal of Signs:

• All political signs must be removed no later than 5 days after Election Day.
• At any time, Cupertino Code Enforcement may immediately remove any sign that creates a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, without any notice to the candidate or campaign entity.
• All signs that are removed will be stored at the City’s Corporation Yard (10555 Mary Avenue, 408.777.3269). Signs may be retrieved upon payment of a $25.00 Sign Recovery fee for each sign. Signs held for more than 20 days shall be considered abandoned and disposed of.

Permit Required for Larger Signs or Banners, Unless Handheld:

• Candidates wishing to erect signs or banners (e.g. on the ground, hung from tents, or attached to buildings or vehicles) that exceed four square feet of area per side must obtain a permit from the City for one of several allowable sign types, including the following:
• Temporary “special event banners” may have a maximum area of up to 100 square feet, but require a permit from the City, must be mounted on a building, can have only one face, and are not allowed in residential districts. Please contact the Code Enforcement Office for more information.
• “Portable signs and displays” that are not permanently attached to the ground or a structure may be up to eight square feet in area, four feet in height, and two feet in width, but require a permit, may only be displayed during business hours, and are not allowed in residential districts. Please contact the Code Enforcement Office for more information.
• Handheld political signs or banners (i.e. signs carried by people that are not attached or mounted to any structure or left unattended on the ground) are allowed without a permit, regardless of size, provided they do not cause any public safety issues, such as by obstructing pedestrian, bike, or vehicle passage.

Reporting Violations

• To report illegal signs, submit via Cupertino 311.
• If you suspect sign theft, it should be reported directly to the Sheriff’s Office.

Political signs are subject to City regulations regarding where they may be placed and when they must be removed. The following information answers common questions about political signs in Cupertino.
What is a political sign?
A political sign is a sign that supports or opposes a candidate or ballot measure.
Can someone put a political sign in my yard without asking me?
No. A political sign cannot be placed on your property without permission.
Are political signs part of official City business?
No. Political signs are not official City business.
Can someone put a political sign in front of my home, between the sidewalk and street?
Only with permission. This area is called the park strip. A political sign cannot be placed in the park strip fronting a property without permission from the property owner or resident.
What can I do if I did not give permission?
You may remove the sign.
Who do I contact with other political sign questions?
If you think a sign is being stolen or damaged, call the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at 408-299-2311. Do not confront the person.
If you see a sign that may be in the wrong place, report it through Cupertino 311: Reporting Tool for City Services.
Can the City remove a political sign?
If the property owner or residents chooses not to remove an unpermitted sign, the City can remove the sign. The City generally gives two business days to correct the problem first. A sign that creates a safety problem may be removed immediately.
What happens to a sign removed by the City?
The City stores the sign for 20 days at the City Service Center, 10555 Mary Avenue. There is a $25 retrieval fee for each sign.
When do political signs have to come down?
Political signs must be removed within five days after Election Day.

Candidate Handbook

Additional information is in the Candidate Handbook. The handbook is intended to answer the most frequent questions about the nomination process.

Candidate Handbook(PDF, 543KB)

Candidate Orientation

A City Council Candidate Orientation will be held to provide candidates with the opportunity to ask questions and hear the same explanations. The purpose of the orientation is to learn about the roles and responsibilities of the City Manager and City Attorney and to provide an overview of City Department areas of responsibility. The session will occur in the September/October timeframe.

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Information

How to File for Candidacy and FAQs

Registrar of Voters General Election Resources

The nomination period for City Council candidates to pull and file required nomination documents opened on Monday, July 13 and has been extended to Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM.

Santa Clara County
Registrar of Voters
Election Dates for 2026: Election Calendar

FPPC
Filing Schedule for Candidates and their Controlled Committees for Local Office
Listed on the November 3, 2026 Ballot: Filing Schedule
All Local November 3, 2026 Reporting Schedules

Upcoming Candidate Forums

The City posts the following candidate forum information as a courtesy only, and the posting should not be considered as City sponsorship or endorsement of any forum or candidate.

Cupertino City Council Candidate Forum
Hosted by Diya TV
September 19, 3 p.m., Quinlan Community Center

Cupertino City Council Candidate Forum
Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Cupertino Sunnyvale and San José Spotlight
October 7, 6 p.m., Cupertino Senior Center
Register: Cupertino City Council Candidate Forum Tickets, Wednesday, October 7  •  6 PM - 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

Cupertino City Council Candidate Forum
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Cupertino and Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
October 14, 12 p.m., Quinlan Community Center
Learn more: Candidate Forum - Cupertino City Council - Events - LWVCS - League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale

CUPERTINO 24-Hour Official Ballot Drop Box LOCATIONS

OPEN OCTOBER 5 – NOVEMBER 2, 2026

ELECTION DAY, November 3, 2026 – until 8:00 PM

Cupertino City Hall (Outside Drop Box) 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014

Cupertino Library (Outside Drop Box) 10800 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014

De Anza College (RSS Building @ Parking Lot A1) 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard Cupertino, CA 95014

Quinlan Community Center (Outside Drop Box) 10185 North Stelling Road Cupertino, CA 95014

4-DAY VOTE CENTER LOCATIONS

OPEN OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 2, 2026 - FROM 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 - FROM 7:00 AM TO 8:00 PM

C = Chinese; S = Spanish; T = Tagalog; V = Vietnamese; H = Hindi; J = Japanese; K = Korean; M = Khmer; B = Punjabi; G = Gujarati; L = Tamil; O = Portuguese; P = Persian; R = Russian;

U = Telugu; X = Indonesia; Y = Syriac; Z = Mongolian 

November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election Information for Cupertino Voters

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

Deadline to register to be eligible to vote in this election with a regular ballot.

Monday, October 19, 2026

CONDITIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION

Conditional Voter Registration is open for a full 14 days prior to the election and must be done in person at the Registrar of Voters office or at any Voter Center. Vote Centers are open 11 days prior to the election. Vote Center hours of operations may vary.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 to Tuesday November 3, 2026

VOTE CENTERS OPEN 10 DAYS BEFORE AND INCLUDING ELECTION DAY

Vote Centers are open to all registered voters. Additional information on Santa Clara County Vote Center locations and hours can be found on the Registrar of Voters website here.

Saturday, October 25, 2026 to Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Electioneering is Prohibited within 100 feet of Ballot Drop Boxes and Vote Centers.

California law prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of certain voting locations, including the entrance to a building containing a polling place or vote center and outdoor locations where voters may cast or drop off ballots. Electioneering is also prohibited in the immediate vicinity of a person in line to cast or drop off a ballot.

Electioneering includes the visible display or audible dissemination of information advocating for or against a candidate or ballot measure. Examples include displaying a candidate's name, likeness, or logo; displaying information about a ballot measure; distributing campaign materials; and wearing campaign-related clothing or items.

Civic Center Plaza Ballot Drop Boxes and Library Vote Center - 100 Foot Radius Map

Vote-by-mail ballot drop boxes will be located outside Cupertino City Hall and outside the Cupertino Library, in front of Coffee Society, for the November 3, 2026, election.

The maps below show the 100-foot areas in which electioneering is prohibited at the Civic Center Plaza locations.

Under California Elections Code section 18370, prohibited activity within the applicable 100-foot area includes soliciting votes, speaking to voters about marking their ballots, circulating petitions, and electioneering as defined by Elections Code section 319.5. A violation of section 18370 is a misdemeanor.

                     Civic Center Plaza Ballot Drop Boxes 100-Foot Radius Map(PDF, 384KB)

                     Cupertino Library Vote Center 100-Foot Radius Map(PDF, 394KB)

                     Civic Center Plaza Ballot Drop Boxes and Library Vote Center 100-Foot Radius Map(PDF, 391KB)

Ballot Drop Box Locations:

Open October 5 – November 2, 2026, and Election Day, November 3, 2026, until 8:00 p.m.

• Cupertino City Hall - Outside Drop Box

  10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014

• Cupertino Library - Outside Drop Box

  10800 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014

• De Anza College - RSS Building at Parking Lot A1

  21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014

• Quinlan Community Center - Outside Drop Box

  10185 North Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA 95014

  Vote Center Locations:

  Open October 31 - November 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Election Day, November 3, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Cupertino Library - 201A & 201B Community Room, 2nd Floor

  10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

• De Anza College - Campus Center, Fireside Room

  21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014

• Odd Fellows Cupertino Lodge 70 - Meeting Room

  20589 Homestead Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014

• Rancho Rinconada - Recreation Building

  18000 Chelmsford Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014

• Seven Springs Club House - Meeting and Ping Pong Room
   21125 Seven Springs Pkwy, Cupertino, CA 95014

City Facilities

Campaigning is prohibited in City facilities designated by the City, including City Hall, Community Hall, the Library, Quinlan Community Center, Senior Center, and Sports Center.
                     Quinlan Community Center – Facility Boundary Map(PDF, 372KB)

                     Cupertino Senior Center - Facility Boundary Map(PDF, 367KB)

                     Cupertino Sports Center - Facility Boundary Map(PDF, 411KB)

For additional information regarding electioneering restrictions, see:

• Elections Code 18370
• Elections Code 319.5

If you have a concern regarding a candidate or other person potentially violating California Elections Code provisions, contact the appropriate elections authorities, including the Secretary of State’s Office Elections Division or the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation.

The Secretary of State (SOS) conducts a randomized alphabet drawing to determine the order that candidates’ names will appear on the ballot. 

The Secretary of State's Office held the randomized alphabet drawing on August 13 to determine the order in which candidates' names appear on the ballot. 

The order for Cupertino candidates is as follows:

Tracy Kosolcharoen

Gopal Kumarappan

J.Z. Wang

Seema Sharma Lindskog

Santosh Rao

Mark Fantozzi

J.R. Fruen

John Tang

More information on the randomized alphabet drawing can be found in the Press Release from the Secretary of State’s Office.

• California Secretary of State
• California Voter Foundation
• League of Women Voters of California
• The Fair Political Practices Commission
• Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters
• Vote 411

The Cupertino City Clerk oversees the election process, with particular emphasis on required candidate filings. This includes Nomination Papers, Statements of Economic Interest (also known as Conflict of Interest Statements), and Campaign Finance Disclosure forms.

For more information call the City Clerk's Office at 408.777.3223, send an email to cityclerk@cupertino.gov, or visit City Hall in person at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino.