Oakland Voters Cast Ballots in Midterm Election

Polls and drop boxes close at 8 p.m. as voters weigh mayor, City Council, school board and ballot measures.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections

Flat-color editorial illustration of a plain civic building facade with a tall doorway and a muted red geometric banner against a pale sky. — Oakland voters cast ballots Tuesday for mayor, three City Council seats, three school board seats and several ballot measures, with polls and drop boxes closing at 8 p.m. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust Oakland's local government to run the city well?

Oakland voters are casting ballots on Election Day for mayor, three City Council seats, three school board seats and ballot measures. Polls and drop boxes close at 8 p.m., and early ballots have been cast since Oct. 5.

Why it matters

The local races and measures will shape city leadership and school governance for Oakland residents. Statewide, California voters are choosing a new governor after eight years of Gavin Newsom, and turnout is running high.

Turnout data compares ballots cast as of Monday with the 2022 midterms, with about 800,000 more Californians having voted this cycle. Final Oakland results remain unknown until counting is complete.

The players

Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom is the outgoing Governor of California whose eight-year tenure is ending with this election.

The details

Oakland voters are casting ballots at polls and drop boxes, which close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Early voting began Oct. 5, and voters are deciding the mayor's race, three City Council seats, three school board seats and several ballot measures.

Oct. 5, 2026: Early voting began in Oakland.
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: About 800,000 more Californians had voted than in 2022.
Nov. 3, 2026, 8 p.m.: Oakland polls and drop boxes close.

Political Context

Turnout is running about 800,000 ballots ahead of the 2022 midterm pace, which signals heavier participation than the last comparable cycle. The race to succeed Gavin Newsom after eight years in office is the central statewide contest drawing that interest.

Oakland residents who have not yet voted must do so at a polling place or drop box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Ballots already cast by mail or drop box before Election Day are counted as submitted.

The takeaway

Voters who still plan to participate should confirm their polling location and deadline before 8 p.m. The outcome of the Oakland races and California's governor contest will be settled in the vote count that follows.