Pasadena Unified School Board Election Set for November 3

Voters will decide the District 3 seat alongside three other board positions in the upcoming November 3 election.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Administration

Pasadena Unified School Board Election Set for November 3

Live Poll

Do you support prioritizing school board candidates who focus on long-term infrastructure and fiscal stability?

Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education member Michelle Richardson Bailey is seeking a third term in the election held on November 3, 2026. She faces challenger Veronica Elias, who officially qualified for the race on July 30.

Why it matters

The outcome of this election will determine leadership during a period of significant fiscal and operational strain for the district. Officials are currently grappling with a projected budget shortfall of $30 million to $35 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The district faces a projected $30 million to $35 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Additionally, enrollment has declined by approximately 23 percent over the last decade.

The players

Michelle Richardson Bailey

She has served on the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education for nearly a decade and was the board president in 2023.

Veronica Elias

She is a candidate challenging the incumbent for the District 3 seat on the PUSD board.

The details

Voters will cast ballots for seats in Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7, with winners decided by a plurality vote. The district is also managing the removal of soil contaminated at 11 sites following the January 2025 Eaton Fire that damaged five campuses.

July 30, 2026: Veronica Elias qualified for the election.
May 2026: A school consolidation advisory committee finished its work.
November 3, 2026: The PUSD board election will take place.
2026-27 fiscal year: The district expects a $30 million to $35 million budget shortfall.

Culture Shift

The school board election is occurring in the shadow of a long-term demographic shift, marked by a 23 percent decline in enrollment over the last decade. This trend has necessitated a recent school consolidation review as the district adjusts to a smaller student population.

Residents will decide the future leadership of their local school district, which manages education for approximately 13,228 students. The outcome will influence how the district navigates its upcoming $30 million to $35 million budget shortfall.

The takeaway

The November election presents voters with a choice on how to address the district's significant budgetary and environmental recovery challenges. Residents should review candidate platforms to understand their proposed strategies for long-term fiscal stability.