As of the June 15 update from the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters, 51.4% of Carlsbad residents who cast ballots in the June 7 election voted to keep the Carlsbad City Clerk an elected position, while 48.6% supported making it a city staff position. An estimated 5,000 ballots countywide remain to be counted.

The city clerk department is responsible for publishing notices for public meetings and hearings, posting agendas and taking meeting minutes to comply with state open meeting laws.  The city clerk department also responds to requests for public records and handles assorted other duties.

City staff have been performing the city clerk’s duties since the elected Carlsbad City Clerk Barbara Engleson retired in August 2021. The City Council voted in March to put a measure on the June ballot asking voters if they supported making the position a city employee rather than an elected official.

About 80 percent of California cities hire or appoint city clerks, rather than having them elected by voters. Of the 18 cities in San Diego County, Carlsbad, Oceanside and National City elect their city clerks.

Learn more about the Carlsbad City Clerk’s office on the city’s website.