Elections

The City Clerk is the local elections official and coordinates with the County of Orange in conduct of municipal elections. Duties of the elections official include:

  • Prepare necessary resolutions calling for general and special municipal elections
  • Declare election results
  • Coordinate the candidate nomination process
  • Receipt and process initiative, referendum, and recall petitions

Brea consolidates its regular elections with statewide elections held on the first Tuesday of November of even numbered years to fill expired City Council and City Treasurer terms and conducts elections in accordance with the California Elections Code and local regulations.

New Voting Options for 2020

The Voters Choice Act passed in 2016 (SB 450), which allows select counties to conduct all-mail ballot elections while also providing regional Vote Centers to be open 10 days prior to Election Day through close of voting on Election Day. On February 26, 2019, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved conducting elections through this model. The Registrar of Voters will implement the California Voter’s Choice Act starting with the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election.

There will be several hassle-free voting options to enhance the voter experience.  Major changes include the addition of more than 200 Vote Centers throughout Orange County, secure ballot drop-off box locations, and a flexible voting schedule.

Every registered voter will receive an information packet and vote-by-mail ballot in the mail.  The packet will include detailed information on the election, candidates, choices of where and how to vote and more.  Multiple benefits will be outlined so voters can plan when to cast their ballot to avoid lines and time restraints.

 As a registered voter, you’ll have more options that match your busy schedule:

  • Visit: Vote at ANY Vote Center location countywide beginning 10 days before Election Day.  Open seven days a week, Vote Centers will feature electronic check-in and ballot system, disabled access voting, voter registration options, and personal customer service support and problem solving. Click here for a list of Vote Center locations.
  • Drop:  Drive through a ballot drop-off location or drop your ballot at any countywide Vote Center. Click here for a list of Ballet Drop Box locations. 
  • Mail:  Return your ballot via the US Post Office – No stamp required!

If you have already mailed in your ballot or dropped off your ballot in a Ballot Drop Box, you can track it here.


City Clerk ElectionFor more information please visit https://www.ocvote.com/votecenter.

Vote Centers will be in operation starting with the March 3, 2020 CA Primary Election.  
The next General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020

City Council Elections

Breans elect City Council Members at-large to a four-year term. Council Members serve staggered terms with two or three seats alternately expiring every two years.

City Treasurer Elections

Breans elect the City Treasurer every four years, in years evenly divisible by four. (2008, 2012, 2016, etc.)

Election Day 

Orange County voters use the Hart Intercivic eSlate electronic voting machines at the polling places for November elections.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on election day. No one may campaign within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place. 

Election Results

The Orange County Registrar of Voters tabulates all ballots in the Registrar of Voters Tally Center located at:
1300 S. Grand Ave.
Building C
Santa Ana, CA 92705

The public may view the counting procedure. 

The registrar of voters  posts unofficial results throughout the evening of the election beginning at approximately 8:15 p.m., continuing to update periodically until they have tallied all precinct ballots. Access election results on the Registrar of Voters website or call their office at 714-567-7600.

Other Election Information 

Brea had 21,767 registered voters as of October 20, 2014.

The Secretary of State selects a random alphabetic position for names on ballots. The ballot will list all candidates in the order of the randomized alphabet. California Secretary of State’s Office will post results of the randomized alphabet drawing on their website.

If the number of candidates is not more than the number of available seats to be filled for an office, the City Council may appoint the candidates to office and cancel the election.

Election Archives

You may view results and corresponding election documents by visiting our Election Archives page.

Campaign Filings

You may view campaign filings for all elected officials and campaign committees by visiting our Campaign Filings page.

Contact Information

If you need any additional information of clarification, do not hesitate to contact the City Clerk’s Office at 714-990-7756.