Donate

Your Voice Shapes Oakland's Schools

Three seats on the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Education are on the ballot this November: Districts 2, 4, and 6. The people you elect will guide educational policy for every OUSD student and most charter school students in Oakland.

Register to Vote RSVP: OUSD Candidate Forum OUSD Candidate Forum flyer - Hear from your OUSD D2, D4 and D6 candidates. October 1st, 6-8pm at Lighthouse Community Charter Public School. RSVP by September 17th.

On the Ballot

Your District, Your Choice

The Oakland Unified School District Board of Education has seven trustees, each representing a geographic area of Oakland. This November, three seats are up for election.

Not sure which area you live in? Use the Alameda County Voter Profile to look up your district.
You can also verify your district on the City of Oakland's website.

OUSD District 2
Downtown, Chinatown & San Antonio

Covers Downtown Oakland, Chinatown, San Antonio, Cleveland Heights, and Grand Lake.

OUSD District 4
Glenview, Dimond & Laurel

Covers Glenview, Dimond, Laurel, Redwood Heights, and Oakmore.

OUSD District 6
Elmhurst & Deep East Oakland

Covers Elmhurst, Sobrante Park, and surrounding deep East Oakland neighborhoods.

Why It Matters

The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Education shapes the educational experience of all kids in public schools in our city.

District-Wide Educational Oversight

The OUSD Board sets policy and provides leadership for all public schools in the district. This includes curriculum decisions, budget priorities, and support services for students with special needs.

Four-Year Impact

Board members serve four-year terms. The leaders elected in November 2026 will make decisions affecting school budgets, programs, and student support services for years to come.

Supporting Every Learner

The Board works with the Superintendent of Schools to prioritize services for all students. This includes those experiencing homelessness, foster youth, students with disabilities, and English language learners.

Your Vote Counts More Than You Think

Local elections are decided by small margins. In past OUSD races, a few hundred votes determined the outcome. Your single vote in Oakland carries real, measurable weight. Don’t leave it on the table.

Key Dates

Mark Your Calendar

Don’t miss these critical windows. Every deadline matters when it comes to making sure your vote counts.

Now - October 19, 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.

October 5, 2026

Vote-by-Mail Ballots Begin Arriving

All registered voters in California receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot automatically. Yours will arrive around October 5. You can return it by mail (no postage needed), at any 24-hour drop box, or in person on Election Day.

October 24, 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.

October 31, 2026

Additional Vote Centers Open

More voting centers are now open across the county through Election Day, including locations across Oakland.

Tuesday, November 3, 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!

Three Ways to Cast Your Ballot

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 October 5
  • Fill it out at home on your own time
  • Mail it back as there is no postage stamp needed
  • Must be postmarked by November 3, 2026

2. Vote by Drop Box

  • 24-hour drop boxes open county-wide starting October 5
  • Drop your sealed ballot anytime, day or night
  • No waiting in line
  • *Drop boxes close at 8:00 PM on November 3

3. Vote In-Person

  • Early voting October 24 – November 2 at certain locations
  • Election Day November 3: 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
How to Vote
Two students with shirts that say Our Students Schools votes

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 Vote

Voter 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 Profile

Vote 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 Locations

Learn More

Oakland Unified School District Board of Education

Read about the current Board members, their roles, the districts they represent, and how the OUSD Board shapes educational leadership.

OUSD Board of Education
Translate »