Only Incumbents Qualify for Ballot In Santee Council Races

SANTEE, CA — Candidate nominations for Santee City Council Districts 1 and 2 closed Aug. 12 and with only incumbents qualifying for the ballot, the city is looking to appoint the two to retain their seats through 2026, according to the Aug. 24 City Council agenda.

District 1 Council Member Rob McNelis and District 2 Council Member Ronn Hall, who also serves as vice mayor for the city, are the only two listed on the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 8, municipal election.

City council can make the decision to either appoint McNelis and Hall to their seats or hold the election, according to the rules set forth in Elections Code Section 10229.

According to the Santee City Council agenda, if council chooses to appoint and does so before Aug. 25, the election will be canceled, though elections for county, state and federal offices would still be held.

If appointed, both McNelis and Hall will take office and serve “exactly as if elected at a municipal election for the office,” the city said.

According to an agenda report that accompanies the item up for discussion, Santee would save approximately $16,000 to $36,000 if an election is not conducted.

The City Clerk's office is responsible for conducting all municipal elections.

For more information or to watch the Aug. 24 Santee City Council meeting live, visit the city's website.