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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT
TO: Mayor and Town Council January 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Mayor’s Installation and Certified Election Results
BACKGROUND
The Town Council conducts its regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each
month. The Town Council adopted Resolution No. 33-2025 establishing the Town
Council meeting dates for 2026. The Resolution sets the first December meeting on
December 1. That meeting is when the Town Council historically adopts election results
and Councilmembers are sworn-in. Due to the timing of the certification of election
results, and subsequent receipt of the Election Certificate, it may be necessary to modify
the Danville Town Council meeting schedule for December 2026.
DISCUSSION
The Town consolidates the election process with Contra Costa County. This year, a
municipal election will take place on November 3. California Election Code section 15372
requires the County to certify the election results to the Secretary of State within 30 days
of the election, following the 28-day canvass. Following the canvass, the County prepares
and distributes a certificate of the results to each municipality. In response to an inquiry
from the Danville City Clerk, the County elections staff said that they cannot guarantee
the date or time in which the Town will receive the Election Certificate and would not
schedule the Installation on December 1.
Tuesday, November 3 Election Day
Tuesday, December 1 28-day canvass deadline
Thursday, December 3 30-day certification deadline to Secretary of State
The Town must receive the Election Certificate prior to Council adoption of the election
results and subsequent swearing-in of Councilmembers. The California Elections Code
requires the Town Council to adopt the election results at the first regular meeting
following the canvass, or a special meeting called for that purpose.
Since the Town is not expected to receive the Election Certificate until after December 1,
it is recommended that the Town Council consider modifying the meeting date. By
bringing this issue to Council’s attention early in the year, the goal is to provide more
options to consider.
As recently as 2024, the Town Council discussed and directed staff to change the first
regular meeting date in December from December 3 to December 4. The Town Council
may also want to consider making a permanent change in future December meeting dates
in election years in order to secure a facility and prevent the need to revise the meeting
schedule. Danville is one of two cities in Contra Costa County that schedule the swearing-
in of Councilmembers on the first Tuesday in December, along with the City of Walnut
Creek. Most cities in the County conduct the swearing-in at their second meeting, which
avoids any issues with election results.
Considering the timing to receive the Election Certificate, it is recommended that the
Town Council consider moving the date of the 2026 Mayor’s Installation to Tuesday,
December 8 and, going forward, conduct the Mayor’s Installation on the second Tuesday
in December in years in which a municipal election takes place.
This item is for Council discussion and to provide staff direction. Any modifications to
the Town Council meeting schedule will be presented to the Town Council for action at
a future meeting.
Prepared by:
Marie Sunseri
City Clerk
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Mayor’s Installation Date 2026 January 13, 2026