POINT ARENA, Mendocino County — October 23, 2026. Point Arena voters will elect two members of the five-seat City Council on November 3. The city’s August 7 election notice confirms two four-year terms, and says the candidate filing period was extended to August 12 because one eligible incumbent did not seek re-election.

What is distinctive about the city government?

Point Arena is a small incorporated city, rather than an unincorporated Mendocino County town. Five council members are elected at large; the members subsequently select a mayor from among themselves. The council handles local policy, city services, land-use decisions, infrastructure and budgets, while an appointed city manager administers daily operations. A candidate standing for council is not necessarily running separately for a direct mayoral vote.

What happened with nominations?

The city’s announcement said the filing deadline for nonincumbent candidates extended to 3 p.m. August 12, 2026 when Councilmember Anna Dobbins announced she would not seek re-election. Those deadlines are now past. Residents should review the final certified candidates and any write-in rules through county election materials rather than assume every name discussed during nominations reached the ballot.

How can voters evaluate candidates?

Consider published policy positions alongside the council’s actual minutes, public budget, municipal audit records, land-use decisions and constituent service priorities. Current council meeting agendas and archived resolutions are available from the City of Point Arena. The council normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 451 School Street, with remote participation options identified by the city.

Where to vote

The city’s website advertises a 24-hour ballot drop box at City Hall through 8 p.m. November 3. County election staff remain the primary authority for vote centers, ballot tracking, conditional registration and the complete candidate list. A candidate endorsement or paid campaign advertisement is not an official election instruction.

Follow Point Arena News and the Rural California network. Send official corrections to the newsroom and support nonpartisan local journalism.

Primary sources: City of Point Arena August 7 filing notice, council directory, meeting schedule and municipal elections archive. No candidate is endorsed.

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