Election & Voter Information

The City Clerk oversees administration of citywide elections and election services. Regular elections are consolidated with statewide elections, scheduled on the first Tuesday of November of even-numbered years to fill expired City Council terms. All election services are provided according to the California Elections Code. The next scheduled General Municipal Election is to be held November 5, 2024.

Vote Centers & Ballot Drop Boxes

California Senate Bill 450 (Voter's Choice Act) was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2016. The law authorizes counties to conduct any election as an all-mailed ballot election provided the jurisdiction provides ballot dropoff locations, vote centers and outreach.

Beginning in 2020, the Orange County Registrar of Voters transitioned to vote centers and ballot drop boxes. Elections are no longer a one-day event. Voting begins the month before any election day and every voter will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. Voters may take advantage of the available options to cast their vote by mailing their ballot, vote in person at a vote center, deliver their ballot to a ballot drop box or deliver it in person to the Registrar of Voters. For more information, please visit the Registrar of Voters website.

For questions, plus a list of all county-wide drop boxes and vote center locations, please contact the Orange County Registrar of Voters online or at 714-567-7600.

Voter Registration Forms Available

Registrar of Voters
1300 Grand Avenue, Building C
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Registrar of Voters website
Phone: 714-567-7600

City Hall
City Clerk's Office
30448 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 110
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Phone: 949-443-6310

U.S. Postal Office
32124 Paseo Adelanto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
Phone: 949-496-1149

Voter Services

Other Election Services

The City Clerk provides all local municipal election services. Our goal is to facilitate the democratic process by providing all citizens with equal access to election services. Residents interested in the following services should contact the City Clerk to learn more. Email the City Clerk.

  • Initiative Process: An initiative is legislation developed by the local citizens and brought forward for Council consideration through the petition process. The Council may approve the legislation or place the matter on the ballot for election.
  • Referendum Process: The referendum process provides voters with an opportunity to challenge legislation that has been approved by the City Council. This is done through the petition process and must be completed within 30 days of the Council's approval.
  • Recall Process: Elected officials may be recalled from office through this petition process.

Campaign Contribution Limits

San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Section 2-4.103 (Ordinance Number 1011 [PDF]) limits campaign contributions made by any person to any candidate and any controlled committed of that candidate may not exceed $500 for any municipal election. The limit shall be adjusted every 2 years by resolution beginning in January 2016.

In January 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 22-01-18-01 (PDF) increasing the campaign contribution limit to $610.