Three people had already filed campaign paperwork to run for Palo Alto City Council when the formal nomination period opened Monday, July 13, setting up a competitive fall race for three seats.

Planning and Transportation Commission Chair Bryna Chang, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Yudy Deng, and incumbent Council member Ed Lauing have all submitted FPPC campaign filings with the city clerk's office, according to city records. The formal Declaration of Candidacy, which requires 25 signatures from registered Palo Alto voters, can now be filed through the nomination window.

One seat is guaranteed to be open: Council member Julie Lythcott-Haims announced in May that they will not seek reelection. Mayor Vicki Veenker, whose seat is also on the ballot, has not said whether she plans to run again.

Who's running

Chang, a lifelong Palo Alto resident, was the first to file campaign paperwork. She was reappointed to the Planning and Transportation Commission on April 13 and elected chair on April 29. She has said she's running in part because commission recommendations don't always make it through to the council dais.

Deng, who immigrated to the United States from China at age 27, filed second. She was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2024 and has served as PTA president at Ohlone Elementary School. She also sits on the board of the Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation and Wellness Center, which is raising money for a new public gym at Cubberley Community Center. Deng has said Cubberley will play a large role in her campaign.

Lauing, first elected to the council in 2022 and who served as mayor in 2025, signed his reelection paperwork on June 22. He is the only incumbent to file so far.

The open seat

Lythcott-Haims told the council at its May 11 meeting that the workload left no time for writing and public speaking, their primary income sources.

"I'm making this announcement now so that members of our community will know that there is an open seat available and can have the important conversations they need to have with their loved ones, supporters and advisors about whether to step up," Lythcott-Haims said.

Deadlines

The standard filing deadline is Friday, August 7. Because Lythcott-Haims is not running, the window extends to Wednesday, August 12, according to the city clerk's office. Candidates file their Declaration of Candidacy by appointment with City Clerk Mahealani Ah Yun's office.

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Matt Moreles encouraged candidates in a July 9 press release to file as early as possible to ensure paperwork is complete.

What else is on the ballot

Beyond the council race, Palo Alto voters will decide on a half-cent sales tax increase to fund the Cubberley Community Center renovation on Middlefield Road. The city owns 8 acres at Cubberley and the measure would fund the purchase of 7 additional acres from Palo Alto Unified School District, bringing the total project site to 15 acres. City-commissioned polls have shown support among likely voters hovering around 50%. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

Two PAUSD school board seats are also up, with three candidates filed: Avery Wang, John Craig, and Linda Henigin.

Mail-in ballots go out in October. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.