Participate
Get Involved in Newport Beach
Every decision on this site was made in a public meeting or documented in a public record. Here is how to attend, comment, apply, and request records yourself.
Updated as new information is verified. Check back often, and refresh if you've visited before.
How to vote this year
Newport Beach voters receive the Orange County ballot for November 3, 2026. For the City's separate election for Measures P, Q, and R, see "Will I get two ballots this year?"
County ballot: City Council races and Measure H. Voting opens Monday, October 5, 2026, when the Orange County Registrar of Voters begins mailing ballots. Return it by mail, at any of the county's 128 drop boxes (open October 5 through 8 p.m. on November 3), or vote in person at the Registrar's office in Santa Ana starting October 5. Check or update your registration at ocvote.gov/registration. CONFIRMED[6][7][8][10]
See how Measure H got to the ballot →
City ballot: Measures P, Q, and R were to be decided in a separate, mail-only election run by the City. CONFIRMED[9] On October 23, 2026, the City announced that "The Special Election to consider three citizen-initiated ballot measures will not take place on November 3, 2026." STATED[14] REPORTED[15] As of October 24, the City Clerk's election page still says the City "will conduct a separate, standalone Special Municipal Election" for Measures P, Q, and R. CONFIRMED[16] For the court cases and what the City and NBSA each say, see "Where do things stand today?"
See how Measures P, Q, and R got to the ballot →
Attend a City Council meeting
The Council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive.[1]
- City Council agendas (Legistar)
Agendas are posted in advance. The Council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive.
- Watch on NBTV or stream online
Meetings are televised live on NBTV — Spectrum channel 3, Cox channel 852 — and streamed online.
Speak or write during public comment
Every meeting includes a 3-minute public comment period; written comments are due by 4:00 PM the Monday before a meeting.[2]
- Speak during public comment
Every meeting includes a public comment period; speakers get 3 minutes each. You do not need to be an expert or represent an organization to speak.
- Submit a written comment
Comments received by 4:00 PM the Monday before a Tuesday meeting are included in the official public packet.
Apply for a board, commission, or committee seat
Applications are accepted year-round through the City Clerk's Office and kept on file for one year; you must be a registered Newport Beach voter.[3]
- Vacancy Announcements — boards, commissions & committees
Applications are accepted year-round through the City Clerk's Office and are kept on file for one full year. Open seats are posted on the city's Vacancy Announcements page. The only requirement is to be a registered Newport Beach voter.
Request records and register to vote
File a Public Records Act request through the City Clerk's Office.[4]
- File a Public Records Act request
File through the City Clerk's Office. The city has a statutory response window.
- Register to vote / check your registration
Campaign contribution limit
The current campaign contribution limit for Newport Beach city elections is $1,500 per contributor, effective July 1, 2025. CONFIRMEDCity of Newport Beach — Elections page[5]
Contact the city directly
City Clerk's Office
(949) 644-3005
City Council (all members)
[email protected] · (949) 644-3004
Verify anything on this site
Every claim on this site links to its source. See how claims are labeled and the full list of sources.
Have a comment, correction, or idea?
hellonewportbeachcivicledger.org → Messages go straight to the curators and are never posted publicly.
Notes & Sources
Numbered references for the claims above. Numbering restarts on each page. How claims are labeled →
- [1]
City of Newport Beach — City Council meetings & agendas (Legistar)
The meeting schedule (2nd and 4th Tuesday, 4:00 PM, 100 Civic Center Drive), NBTV broadcast channels, and agenda posting.
- [2]
City of Newport Beach — Open Government
The 3-minute public comment period and the Monday 4:00 PM deadline for written comments to be included in the official packet.
- [3]
City of Newport Beach — Boards, Commissions & Committees
Year-round applications through the City Clerk's Office, the one-year file period, and the registered-voter requirement.
- [4]
City of Newport Beach — Public Records Request
How to file a Public Records Act request through the City Clerk's Office.
- [5]
City of Newport Beach — Municipal Elections
The current campaign contribution limit of $1,500 per contributor, effective July 1, 2025.
- [6]
Orange County Registrar of Voters, newsletter
County ballot mailing beginning October 5, 2026, in-person voting at the Registrar's office in Santa Ana starting October 5, and the request that voters check or update registration before October 19.
- [7]
Orange County Registrar of Voters, Ballot Drop Box Locations
128 county ballot drop boxes open October 5 through 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026.
- [8]
City of Newport Beach, General Municipal Election, November 3, 2026 (election page, viewed September 23, 2026)
The county ballot includes the City Council races and Measure H.
- [9]
City of Newport Beach, City Council Special Meeting video, September 11, 2026
The City-run, mail-only Special Municipal Election for Measures P, Q, and R, and the City's election consultant saying the City ballots would mail by October 19.
- [10]
Orange County Registrar of Voters, Vote-By-Mail FAQs
Returning a county vote-by-mail ballot by mail.
- [11]
Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2026-01559183-CU-JR-NJC, ROA 380, City's Initial Return to Writ of Mandate, filed September 28, 2026
The City's description of October 19 as its "mailing target" for City ballots. Independent coverage of this has not yet been located.
- [12]
Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2026-01559183-CU-JR-NJC, "Supplemental Declaration of Lena Shumway in Support of Initial Return to Writ of Mandate," filed by the City of Newport Beach, October 12, 2026 (ROA 391). Copies available for a fee through the court's online records system.
The City Clerk's statement that the City previously planned to complete ballot mailing by October 19 and has since conferred with its printer about mailing by October 24.
- [13]
City of Newport Beach, City Clerk, "November 3, 2026 General and Special Municipal Elections" page, with its Election Notices and Resolutions and Staff Reports pages, viewed October 22, 2026
The page does not post a ballot mailing date or ballot return instructions for the City ballot. Independent coverage of this has not yet been located.
- [14]
City of Newport Beach, City News, "City of Newport Beach Provides Update on November 3 Special Election," posted October 23, 2026, 2:43 p.m.
The City's October 23 announcement and its statements about the Special Election, required authorizations and voter information, and the County-run election.
- [15]
Voice of OC, "Newport Beach Cancels Court-Ordered Special Election," October 23, 2026.
The fact and date of the City's announcement only.
- [16]
City of Newport Beach, City Clerk, "November 3, 2026 General and Special Municipal Elections" page, viewed October 24, 2026.
As of October 24, the page still says the City "will conduct a separate, standalone Special Municipal Election" for Measures P, Q, and R. Independent coverage of this has not yet been located.