As of Thursday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2026, the Contra Costa Elections office announced there are 184,200 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in the county from Tuesday’s election.
Also, they announced the next results update is expected to be provided Friday afternoon, Nov. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
The remaining ballots could affect the outcome of several close races in the county including the Antioch City Council District 1 and Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee races.
Currently challenger and former Councilwoman Joy Motts leads incumbent Tamisha Torres-Walker in the council race and incumbent Mary Rocha leads challenger Brandon Dawkins in the school board race. (See related article)
Following is the breakdown of the Estimated number of unprocessed ballots:
Ballots voted at a voting location – 200
Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 165,000
Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 12,000
Next Results Expected (date and time): Friday, 11/6/2026 – 4:00 PM.
As of Wednesday morning’s update at 12:12 AM, a total of 280,686 ballots had been counted, out of 733,037 registered voters in the county. The remaining ballots make up almost 40 percent of the total 464,886 estimated ballots cast. They don’t include ballots that can still arrive by next Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. that were mailed and postmarked this past Tuesday.
Plus, get tips and reminders for voting in the November 3rd General Election
By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department
Regional Early Voting Sites open today, Friday, October 30th with convenient times to vote in-person, and polling places are open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Voters can still return their ballots by mail, postmarked on or before Election Day – to ensure mailed ballots are received on time, voters mailing their ballots should go into the post office and ask for a postmark. To avoid stress and ensure the Elections office receives their ballot on time, voters can drop their ballot off at one of the County’s 43 official drop boxes before 8:00 PM on Election Day.
“We want Contra Costa Voters to know that they can vote their way with confidence,” said Kristin B. Connelly, the County’s Registrar of Voters. “The Elections office is here to ensure that your vote is counted and your voice is heard.”
In-Person Voter Services
If you prefer to vote in-person or need in-person services to cast your ballot, Contra Costa County residents have early voting options at five Regional Early Voting sites throughout the county.
All Contra Costa registered voters will be able to vote at any of the Regional Early Voting locations, which will be open Friday, October 30th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, October 31st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; and Monday, November 2nd from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Here are the locations of Contra Costa’s Regional Early Voting sites:
Oakley Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Ave, Oakley
Pittsburg Library-Community Room, 80 Power Avenue, Pittsburg
Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond
San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, 902 Danville Blvd., Alamo
Center for Community Arts Auditorium, 111 N Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek
Voters can also come to the Elections Office at 555 Escobar St in Martinez, Friday, October 30th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday October 31st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday November 2nd from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Election Day, Tuesday November 3rd from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Polling Places
Polling places will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Please go to our website and check “My Voting Information.” to find your assigned polling place.
Conditional Voter Registration
If you missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register and vote in-person using Conditional Voter Registration. It is a one-stop opportunity to register and cast your ballot and is available (1) at our office at 555 Escobar St in Martinez, (2) at Regional Early Voting sites, and (3) at all polling places.
Accessible Voting Equipment and Additional Language Access
Official ballots and voting instructions are provided in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Additional language resources are available through ballot translation guides which are available online and at all in-person voting locations. Ballot marking equipment with accessible features is available at every in-person voting location for voters who may need assistance.
Be Prepared
If you vote in-person, many voters find it helpful to come prepared. Make your choices ahead of time and bring your pre-marked Sample Ballot to the polls to help you save time. Copies of the Voter Information Guide are available at the polls and the information is also available online.
No Electioneering within 100 Feet of Polling Place – Leave Campaign T-Shirts, Buttons and Hats at Home
Please remember that voters have the right to cast a ballot free from intimidation or distraction. Under California law, electioneering is prohibited within 100 feet of any voting location. Anyone wearing items promoting any position in this election will be asked to remove or cover them while they are at the voting location. Please help our poll workers by refraining from electioneering and leave your campaign t-shirts, buttons, and hats at home.
For more information on voting options for the November 3rd General Election, visit www.contracostavote.gov or call 925.335.7800.
By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations, Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department
The first report of results will be released shortly after 8:00 PM on Election Night, Tuesday, November 3rd, and posted to the Elections website immediately afterward. The initial posted results will include counted Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballots and in-person ballots from Regional Early Voting Sites.
The second report, with results from the polls, will be issued at approximately 9:30 PM with subsequent updates at least once an hour until all precincts have reported their votes from in-person voting. The final Election Night report is expected to be issued by 12:00 AM.
Typically, the Election Night report only represents approximately half of the total vote that our office ultimately will receive.
The first interim report will be posted by 5:00 PM on Friday, November 6th, and will contain additional results from Vote-by-Mail ballots received on or after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. Additional results will be posted twice a week, by 5:00 PM until canvass activities have been completed. Any final signature cures submitted by the deadline will be included in the final report at certification on December 3rd, 2026.
The availability of updated reports will be communicated via X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, using the hashtag #CoCoVote. Changes to the reporting schedule, if any, also will be communicated on these social media sites.
The Contra Costa Elections Division social media pages are:
Local election results will also be available throughout Election Night on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) beginning at 8:00 PM on Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32, and AT&T U-Verse channel 99.
Free program brings local judges directly to civic, faith-based, educational and nonprofit organizations across the County
By Dan Radovich, ADA and Communications Manager, Contra Costa County Superior Court
MARTINEZ, Calif. – The Contra Costa County Superior Court today introduced its new Judicial Community Engagement Program, which brings judges to community organizations across the county at no cost. Civic groups, service organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and educational programs may now request a judge to speak at their meetings and events about the work of the courts and how the justice system operates.
The program is part of the Court’s commitment to strengthening its relationships with the community and expanding public understanding of the justice system. Residents have the unique opportunity to gain clarity on commonly misunderstood aspects of court processes directly from members of the bench. This program also supports the Court’s new Strategic Plan for 2027–2029, which names Trusted Courts as one of the its five strategic priorities and calls for greater outreach and education about the role and purpose of the courts.
“The daily business of the courts is rarely seen by members of the public unless they are called as jurors or have a case in court,” said Judge Terri Mockler, who leads the program. “Judges make decisions based on the evidence before them and the law that applies, and those details don’t always fit into a news headline. The goal of this program is to allow members of the community to meet and talk with judges about the work that we do every day. The hope is that the public will walk away with a better understanding of the role of judges and the judiciary in a democratic society. This program gives residents the opportunity to ask questions, hear directly from the judges who serve them, and see the courts as part of their community.”
Who Can Request a Speaker
Requests are welcome from community and civic groups, leadership and service organizations, educational and youth programs, nonprofit and public interest groups, and faith-based organizations. Any organization that brings people together to learn, serve, or engage is encouraged to submit a request.
Presentation Topics
Judges may speak on a range of general educational topics, including:
The role of the courts in the community
How cases move through the court system
The importance of jury service
How judges reach the bench and the qualifications to become a judge
Rules of judicial ethics and the judicial discipline system
Preventing bias
Judicial training and subject-matter specialties, such as domestic violence, juvenile, family, criminal, and civil law
What Judges Cannot Discuss
Judges are bound by ethical rules that protect the fairness and impartiality of the courts. To uphold those standards, presentations are limited to general educational topics. Judges cannot address the following topics:
Pending cases. Judges cannot discuss any case that is currently pending.
Issues that may come before the Court. Judges cannot comment on matters or disputes that may later come before the Court.
Legal advice or referrals. Judges cannot advise attendees on their own legal matters or provide referrals.
How to Request a Judge
Organizations may submit requests by email to communityoutreach@contracosta.courts.ca.gov. There is no cost to request a judge. Requests should include:
Organization name
Primary contact’s name, phone number, and email address
Description of the event or meeting
Topic(s) the organization would like the judge to discuss
Expected number of attendees
Preferred date(s), time, and location
More information about the Judicial Community Engagement Program is available on the Court’s website: contracosta.courts.ca.gov/judicial-community-engagement-program.
Ends midday call-ins, reduces number of jurors summoned, and aligns Contra Costa County with most Bay Area courts
By Dan Radovich, ADA and Communications Manager, Contra Costa County Superior Court
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Beginning January 4, 2027, the Contra Costa County Superior Court will transition to a weekly jury summons model. Residents will be summoned for jury service less often under this new model, which is projected to reduce the number of jurors summoned each year by approximately 20%. The change also eliminates midday call-ins. Instead, jurors will know the day before whether they need to report. The first summonses under the weekly model will be mailed beginning November 9, 2026.
The change results, in part, from the Court’s strategic planning process and the feedback residents provided about their experience with jury service in Contra Costa County. The Court reviewed its jury operations and historical data, identifying weekly summonsing as a practical way to make jury service less disruptive. Weekly summonsing also brings the Court in line with most other Bay Area courts, which already summon jurors by the week.
What the Change Means for Jurors
Residents will be summoned for a service week instead of a single day. Under the Court’s new model:
A full day’s notice. Jurors will check their reporting instructions by 5:00 p.m. beginning the court day before their service week. Jurors who are not asked to report must continue to check their reporting instructions each court day until their service week ends.
Service is complete if not asked to report during service week. Jurors who are not asked to report during their service week will have fulfilled their jury service and will not be summoned again for at least 12 months.
Service weeks will begin on Monday, or Tuesday when Monday is a court holiday. Under the current system, jurors are often instructed to call in at 11:30 a.m. and then asked to report by 1:00 p.m. that afternoon. The new weekly model eliminates midday call-ins and same-day reporting. However, it does not change what happens when jurors report. Under the statewide “one day or one trial” policy, jurors
who report and are not assigned to a courtroom will complete their jury service that same day. Jurors assigned to a courtroom for jury selection or impaneled on a trial will return as directed by the judge.
Expected Impact
In 2025, the Court mailed over 305,000 jury summonses to support more than 250 criminal, civil, and probate jury trials. Weekly summonsing allows Jury Services to better match the number of jurors asked to report with courtroom needs on a given day. Based on its analysis of 2025 data, the Court projects the model will:
Reduce the number of annual summonses by approximately 61,000.
Save approximately $31,000 a year in printing and postage costs.
The Court will evaluate actual results following implementation, including summons volume, failure-to-appear rates, juror utilization, and courthouse operations.
“Jury service is an important civic responsibility, but we also recognize that it can be challenging to fit into work, family, and other obligations,” said Sarah Lind, Court Executive Officer and Jury Commissioner. “This new model is a meaningful step toward making jury service more predictable and manageable for residents, while continuing to meet the needs of our courtrooms.”
Jurors will continue to have the option to receive their reporting instructions by text message or email. Additional information about the Court’s new jury summons model and instructions for signing up for text message and email notifications are available on the Juror Service Center page of the Court’s website: contracosta.courts.ca.gov/jury. Jury Services may be contacted by phone at (925) 608-1001.
The Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) is recognized as one of the nation’s most modern and effective all-hazard public warning systems. The CWS is a partnership of the Office of the Sheriff, the Health Services Department, other government agencies, industry, news media and the non-profit Community Awareness & Emergency Response (CAER) organization, all striving to deliver time-sensitive and potentially life-saving information to the people of Contra Costa County.
How will we notify you?
Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
The CWS is designed to provide specific information directly to the media through the Emergency Alert System. The EAS interrupts TV and radio broadcasts to deliver major local, regional, and national emergency alerts. Following the initial alert, TV and Radio stations provide ongoing status reports and information.
The CWS uses a federal system that sends text alerts to your smartphone during major emergencies, no registration needed! Check with your cell phone service provider to see if your cell phone can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts.
Voice, Text, and Email Alert Messages
The CWS is able to send compatible wireless devices voice, text, and email alerts in an emergency. Unlike with a WEA or EAS alert, you will need to register with the CWS to receive these additional messages.
Sirens
The CWS may use sirens to alert you to a possible industrial hazard in your area. Sirens are sounded to draw your attention away from your daily activities. When you hear a siren, the best first protective action is to Shelter, Shut and Listen.
Sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am. For the remaining Wednesdays, a more quiet and low-volume “growl” test is performed at 11:00 am. For a siren location map click here.
NOAA Weather Radio
CWS uses the National Weather Service to provide emergency alerts and information for major non-weather related emergencies. Weather radios are an inexpensive and reliable way to receive these alerts. These devices can be battery powered to provide a means of receiving emergency alerts if your power is out. Learn more about NOAA Weather Radios here.
Student and Adult Humanitarians to be Recognized at Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony
Deadline: Nov. 6
ByKristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media
(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Humanitarians of the Year to be recognized during the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony.
The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is November 6, 2026.
The event will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The Board of Supervisors will recognize two individuals, one adult and one student leader, whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event. Nominate a community member and/or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents, and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to the community, and personal integrity. To submit online nominations and learn more about the County’s celebration, visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony website.
By Dan Radovich, ADA Coordinator & Communications Manager, Contra Costa County Superior Court
The Contra Costa County Superior Court has released its Strategic Plan for 2027–2029. This three-year roadmap focuses on improving access to justice, developing and retaining a skilled workforce, expanding community outreach and partnerships, maintaining secure court facilities and information systems, and streamlining operations through technology and data.
The plan is built on key input gathered earlier this year from Contra Costa County residents and court users through a public survey, as well as from County partners, justice partners, and members of the bench and court staff.
The plan includes five Strategic Priorities with three goals for each:
Accessible Justice
Workforce Excellence
Trusted Courts
Safe & Secure Courts and
Operational Excellence & Innovation
The Court thanks everyone who took the time to contribute their perspectives and ideas, especially the residents and court users who completed the survey. This feedback was essential to shaping the plan’s priorities and goals.
