The city of Pinole will hold a special election in June to decide if the position of mayor should be an elected one.
As it stands now, the mayor is the member of the City Council who received the most votes in an election. Technically all five councilmembers are elected at large, with the position of mayor rotating.
The City Council in February approved putting three measures on the ballot. Measure D asks if there should be a citywide election for mayor, and voters will also be asked if the mayor’s term should run two or four years, via Measures E and F, respectively.
According to the city, state law outlines the role of an elected mayor in general law cities such as Pinole. An elected mayor holds the same powers and duties as other members of the council, with a few additional responsibilities. Often such mayors serve as spokespeople for the council, attend public events in their capacity as mayor, and lead council meetings.
The cities of Vallejo and Alameda have similar systems, where the mayor is elected, not appointed, but is also a part of the city council.
The position is not like a “strong” mayor, which is an elected position holding far more power. Big cities such as Oakland and San Francisco have strong mayors, which often vie with supervisors or the council, as opposed to being a part of the bodies.
If voters approve the measure, the new ordinance would keep the mayor’s salary at the same rate as the rest of the council, along with the same health and welfare benefits provided to city employees, the city said.
Additional information about the June 2, 2026, special election in Pinole and the proposed establishment of an elected mayor is available online.
