| ITEM #: 7. DATE: 02/02/2026 AI #:3065 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | RESOLUTION CALLING THE 2026 ELECTIONS |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Jasmine Pernicano, City Clerk |
SUMMARY
The city of Goodyear is scheduled to conduct its next Primary Election on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, for the purpose of electing the Mayor and three Councilmembers. Adoption of the Resolution (Attachment A) provides notice and initiates the formal call for the 2026 election.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-2509 PROVIDING NOTICE AND CALLING FOR THE 2026 ELECTION. (Jasmine Pernicano, City Clerk)
FISCAL IMPACT
The city executes a menu of services with the Maricopa County Elections Department prior to each election cycle. The city is charged $0.50 per registered voter, per election, for a county-wide consolidated ballot. Funding for election services will be included in the City Manager’s recommended FY2026-2027 Budget. As of January 2026, Goodyear has 66,147 active registered voters.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
In accordance with Article IX Section 5 of the City Charter, the city will hold its next regular candidate election in conjunction with the statewide Primary Election scheduled for August 4, 2026, for the purpose of electing the Mayor and three Councilmembers to four-year terms.
In 2024, the Governor signed House Bill 2785 as emergency legislation, temporarily moving the Primary Election one week earlier to ensure compliance with federal deadlines for transmitting ballots to military and overseas voters for the General Election. This legislation applied only to the 2024 election cycle.
New emergency legislation is currently under consideration through House Bill 2022, which, if enacted, would move the Primary Election to the last week of July for this year. The Resolution included as Attachment A authorizes the City Clerk to take all actions necessary to comply with any election-related changes enacted by the Arizona State Legislature without requiring additional Council action.
In 2024, the Governor signed House Bill 2785 as emergency legislation, temporarily moving the Primary Election one week earlier to ensure compliance with federal deadlines for transmitting ballots to military and overseas voters for the General Election. This legislation applied only to the 2024 election cycle.
New emergency legislation is currently under consideration through House Bill 2022, which, if enacted, would move the Primary Election to the last week of July for this year. The Resolution included as Attachment A authorizes the City Clerk to take all actions necessary to comply with any election-related changes enacted by the Arizona State Legislature without requiring additional Council action.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Unless otherwise amended by the Arizona State Legislature, the City will conduct a Primary Election for the purpose of electing a Mayor and three Councilmembers. If a General Election is required, it will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
In accordance with Article IX Section 6 of the City Charter, any candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast at the Primary Election shall be declared elected to that office, and no General Election will be held for that position.
Candidates seeking municipal office may obtain nomination papers and related materials from the City Clerk’s Office, located at Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N Civic Square, Goodyear, Arizona, 85396. Nomination papers and all required forms must be filed no earlier than March 9, 2026, and no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 6, 2026, during regular business hours, at the Goodyear City Clerk’s Office, 1900 N Civic Square, Goodyear, Arizona, 85395, in order for a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot.
The voter registration deadline for the Primary Election is July 6, 2026. The voter registration deadline for the General Election, if held, is October 5, 2026.
As this is a regular candidate election, state statute does not require a formal call of election. However, adoption of the Resolution will assist in providing notice and information to the public regarding the upcoming election. Additional outreach will occur through publication, updates to the city’s election website, and social media posts. A communication plan will be implemented to provide regular updates to voters as the election date approaches. All election-related information will be provided in both English and Spanish in compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act.
In accordance with Article IX Section 6 of the City Charter, any candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast at the Primary Election shall be declared elected to that office, and no General Election will be held for that position.
Candidates seeking municipal office may obtain nomination papers and related materials from the City Clerk’s Office, located at Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N Civic Square, Goodyear, Arizona, 85396. Nomination papers and all required forms must be filed no earlier than March 9, 2026, and no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 6, 2026, during regular business hours, at the Goodyear City Clerk’s Office, 1900 N Civic Square, Goodyear, Arizona, 85395, in order for a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot.
The voter registration deadline for the Primary Election is July 6, 2026. The voter registration deadline for the General Election, if held, is October 5, 2026.
As this is a regular candidate election, state statute does not require a formal call of election. However, adoption of the Resolution will assist in providing notice and information to the public regarding the upcoming election. Additional outreach will occur through publication, updates to the city’s election website, and social media posts. A communication plan will be implemented to provide regular updates to voters as the election date approaches. All election-related information will be provided in both English and Spanish in compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act.