It’s Nomination Season: 2026 State, School, and Public Agency Member Elections Coming Up

March 16, 2026
Circular Letter: 310-015-26
Topic: Board of Administration

To: All CalPERS Employers

Purpose

The 2026 California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration state, school, and public agency member elections are coming up. Help us spread the word.

These three positions, which represent state, school, and public agency employees, also serve to protect the interests of both you and your employees:

  • The current state member representative is Theresa Taylor, who will be stepping down after serving in the position since 2015. She is not seeking re-election and will finish her term through January 15, 2027.
  • The current school member representative is Kevin Palkki, who has served in the position since 2023.
  • The current public agency representative is Mullissa Willette, who has served in the position since 2022.

All active state, school, and public agency members are eligible to seek nomination and vote in their affiliated election.

Notices of Election for Posting and Circulation

A copy of the Notice of Election for each race is attached. The notices outline the election schedule and steps to become a candidate. Post and circulate the appropriate notice to eligible active CalPERS members in your agency. This is best accomplished by:

  • Circulating through your normal information systems
  • Posting on employee bulletin boards
  • Distributing to employee organizations

The Notices of Election are available on the Board Elections webpage under Resources.

Important Information About the 2026 State, School, and Public Agency Elections

  • Those interested in becoming a candidate must submit a Nomination Petition to CalPERS by 5:00 p.m. PT on May 14, 2026.
  • The winners will serve four-year terms beginning January 16, 2027, and ending January 15, 2031.
  • For each of these seats, a runoff election may be held if a candidate doesn’t receive the majority of votes cast in the primary election.
  • Any protest of an election will be decided by a neutral Protest Panel.
  • Election procedures are prescribed in Government Code section 20090, and in CalPERS election regulations found in Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Article 2, §554 through §554.11.

Want to Vote? We Need Current Contact Information

We need members’ current contact information to send voting materials. Remind your employees to notify your human resources department of address changes by June 2026 to ensure a ballot package is sent to their home address in August 2026.

We appreciate your support in this election. If you have questions, call the CalPERS Board Election Office at (916) 795-3952, or (800) 794-2297.

Dallas Stone, Chief
Operations Support Services Division

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