City Council Candidate Nomination Window Closes This Friday

Seal Beach, CA · August 3, 2026

Fog is hugging the coast this morning, but clear skies and a calm start await once it lifts.

The Lead

Residents considering a seat at the decision-making table have until 5:00 p.m. this Friday, August 7, to submit nomination papers for the upcoming November city council election. Three of the five council seats are on the ballot this fall, representing Districts 1, 3, and 5. District 1 Councilman Joe Kalmick reaches his term limit this year, guaranteeing a new representative for the area, while incumbents in Districts 3 and 5 are eligible for re-election.

To qualify, candidates must pull official nomination forms from the City Clerk's office and return them with signatures from at least 20 registered voters living within their respective district. If an eligible incumbent does not file by Friday's deadline, state law automatically extends the filing period by five calendar days for non-incumbent contenders in that specific district. Nomination packets and candidate guidelines remain available at City Hall throughout the week.

Local Pulse

  • McGaugh Gym Hosts Basketball League Finals Local adult teams head to McGaugh Gym tonight for the final summer basketball tournament starting at 6:30 p.m.

  • Police Issue Guidance on Summer Wildlife City officials urge residents to secure trash cans and outdoor pet food as seasonal skunk and coyote sightings increase.

Today's Outlook

  • High 76°F · Low 68°F — Fog Expect low morning visibility along the coast before sunshine breaks through by midday.

What's On Around Town

  • Adult Basketball League Finals McGaugh Gym (1698 Bolsa Ave), 6:30 PM Local adult teams collide in back-to-back playoff games tonight.

  • Laguna Beach: Sawdust Art Festival Sawdust Grounds (935 Laguna Canyon Rd), 11:00 AM–10:00 PM Artisan booths, live glassblowing, and acoustic music set in the canyon.

  • Whittier: Concerts in the Park Central Park (13212 Park St), 7:00 PM Free Beach Boys and classic surf rock performance on the lawn.

Spotlight & Story

  • San Gabriel River Trail
    • Spanning 28 miles from the San Gabriel Mountains down to the Pacific shoreline, the San Gabriel River Trail terminates right at the local beach. Originally paved in the 1970s, this unbroken pathway gives cyclists and runners direct coastal access without touching a single traffic signal.

Seal Beach Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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