Your Voice Shapes Oakland's Schools
Three seats on the Alameda County Board of Education are on the ballot: Area 1, 4, 7 and the county wide Superintendent. The people you elect will guide educational policy for every student in your county. Show up.
Register to VoteWhy It Matters
The Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) shapes the educational experience of hundreds of thousands of students across every area in Alameda County, including Oakland’s students.
County-Wide Educational Oversight
The ACOE Board sets policy and provides leadership for all public schools in Alameda County. This includes curriculum support for services for students with special needs.
Supporting Every Learner
The Board works with the County Superintendent to prioritize services for all students. This includes those experiencing homelessness, foster youth, students with disabilities, and those in county programs.
Your Vote Counts More Than You Think
Local elections are decided by small margins. In past ACOE races, a few hundred votes determined the outcome. Your single vote in Oakland carries real, measurable weight. Don’t leave it on the table.
Four-Year Impact
Board members serve four-year terms starting July 1. The leaders elected in June 2026 will make decisions affecting school budgets, county programs, and student support services through 2030.
Candidate Forum
Meet the candidates running for Alameda County Office of Education!
Virtual Meeting – link will be sent to registrants.
Dates
April 30, 2026
Time
6 -8pm
On the Ballot
Four Seats, Your Choice
The Alameda County Board of Education has seven trustees, each representing a geographic area of the county. This June, four seats are up - including the County Superintendent of Schools.
Not sure which area you live in? Use the Alameda County Voter Profile to look up your district.
Covers Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and portions of Oakland including Temescal and Rockridge, bordered by Grand Avenue and the Warren Freeway.
Covers unincorporated communities including Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, San Lorenzo, and a majority of northern San Leandro.
Includes Newark and surrounding southern communities. This seat was most recently held by a trustee who also served as Board President and Vice President.
The chief executive of the ACOE, responsible for implementing Board policy and overseeing all county educational programs and services. This is a county-wide elected position.
Key Dates
Mark Your Calendar
Don’t miss these critical windows. Every deadline matters when it comes to making sure your vote counts.
Now – May 18, 2026
Register to Vote
Make sure you’re registered at your current address. Registration closes 15 days before Election Day. You can also use California’s same-day conditional registration at the Registrar’s office if you miss this deadline.
May 4, 2026
Vote-by-Mail Ballots Begin Arriving
All registered voters in California receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot automatically. Yours will arrive around May 4. You can return it by mail (no postage needed), at any 24-hour drop box, or in person on Election Day.
May 23, 2026
Early In-Person Voting Opens
Ten-day vote centers open at certain locations across Alameda County, 9 AM – 5 PM daily. This is a great option if you want to avoid lines on Election Day.
May 30, 2026
Additional Vote Centers Open
More voting centers are now open across the county through Election Day, including locations across Oakland.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Election Day
All voting centers are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. If you’re in line by 8 PM, you have the right to vote. Return your mail ballot at any drop box by 8 PM tonight. This is the day!
California makes it easy! Choose the method that works best for you because every valid ballot counts equally, no matter how it's cast.
1. Vote by Mail
- Your ballot arrives automatically around May 4
- Fill it out at home on your own time
- Mail it back as there is no postage stamp needed
- Must be postmarked by June 2
2. Vote by Drop Box
- 24-hour drop boxes open county-wide starting May 4
- Drop your sealed ballot anytime, day or night
- No waiting in line
- *Drop boxes close at 8:00 PM on June 2
3. Vote In-Person
- Early voting May 23 – June 1 at certain locations
- Election Day June 2: all centers are open
- You can return your mail ballot at any vote center
- Same-day registration available at the Registrar's office
- Accessible voting options available at all locations
First-Time or Young Voters
- Oakland 16 & 17-year-olds can pre-register and vote in school board races
- Pre-registered youth automatically receive a mail ballot
- Registration automatically activates at age 18
- Missed the deadline? Same-day conditional registration is available at the Registrar's office
Official Resources
Everything You Need to Vote
All the official links, in one place. These are your trusted sources for registration, voter information, and finding where to vote.
Register
Register to Vote in California
Official California state voter registration. Register online in minutes. Also update your address or party if you've moved or changed your mind.
Register to VoteVoter Profile
Check Your Alameda County Voter Profile
Look up your polling place, download a sample ballot, check the status of your mail ballot, and see which districts you're eligible to vote in.
Alameda County Voter ProfileVote Centers & Drop Boxes
Find Oakland Voting Locations
Locate all the voting centers and 24-hour drop boxes across Alameda County. Filter by accessibility features and get directions.
Oakland Voting LocationsLearn More
Alameda County Board of Education
Read about the current Board members, their roles, the areas they represent, and how the County Board shapes educational leadership.
Alameda County Board of Education