Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
(SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA) Mark Church, the long-serving San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer, announced today that he will not seek re-election to a fifth term as the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Chief Elections Officer. When his current term concludes in January 2027, Church will have completed an extraordinary 30 years in elected public service, leaving behind a legacy defined by innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to putting people first.
“When I was first elected to the Millbrae City Council in 1995, I had no idea of the remarkable journey I was about to begin,” Church said. “I can truthfully say that serving the people of San Mateo County has been the honor and privilege of my lifetime. After three decades, I believe this is the right time to turn the page with gratitude and deep appreciation for the community I have been so fortunate to serve.”
Church’s public service career began in his hometown of Millbrae, where he was elected to the City Council in 1995 and served as Mayor from 1997 to 1998. In 2000, voters elected him to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, where he was subsequently re-elected in 2004 and 2008. In 2010, Church was elected Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer, a role in which he has since been re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
Before entering public office, Church practiced law in the community, a foundation that proved instrumental throughout his career. “My legal background, combined with hands-on experience in government, prepared me to navigate complex policy, fiscal, and operational challenges,” he said. “Public service is ultimately about trust, accountability, and making thoughtful decisions that improve people’s lives.”
As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Church earned a reputation as a forward-thinking leader and careful steward of public resources. During his tenure, he spearheaded the creation of the county’s award-winning Green Business Program, the Green Building Program, and helped establish the Department of Housing, initiatives that continue to shape the county’s sustainability and housing policies today.
Reflecting on his time leading the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Elections Department, Church expressed pride in the organization and its people. “I’m incredibly proud of what our award-winning department has accomplished,” he said. “Every decision we make must align with our mission, vision, and values. Our department’s motto—People First—guides us in everything we do.”
Under Church’s leadership, the department has received 22 local, state, national, and international awards for excellence in innovation, efficiency, and customer service. “None of this happens without an extraordinary team,” he added. “Our staff’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the public make these accomplishments possible. I am deeply grateful to every member of our department.”
As County Assessor, Church has overseen one of the most complex and robust assessment rolls in California. San Mateo County’s assessment roll, the ninth largest in the state, now exceeds $340 billion in assessed value. To meet the demands of rapid commercial growth and evolving customer expectations, Church championed major technological modernization, replacing aging legacy systems with state-of-the-art tools, including a modern property assessment system, an advanced geographic information system, and a responsive, customer-focused website available 24/7.
In his role as Chief Elections Officer, Church has successfully overseen 42 elections and guided San Mateo County through several historic milestones that reshaped election administration statewide and nationally. After testifying before the California State Legislature in support of AB 2028, he led California’s first countywide all-mail ballot election in 2015. The pilot dramatically increased voter participation, particularly among young voters and language-minority communities, while generating significant cost savings.
That success laid the groundwork for the landmark California Voter’s Choice Act, fundamentally transforming how Californians vote by expanding access, convenience, and trust in the democratic process. Church also launched California’s first remote accessible vote-by-mail system, allowing voters with disabilities to cast ballots independently and securely.
Through partnerships with community-based organizations, Church expanded voter outreach and inclusion efforts, earning the prestigious U.S. Election Assistance Commission Clearinghouse Award for Outstanding Innovations in Elections: Embracing Equity and Inclusion. The department also received national recognition for best practices in poll worker recruitment and training, as well as for developing one of the nation’s first digital “I Voted” stickers.
As County Clerk-Recorder, Church modernized how the public accesses and records official documents. He led the transition from a fully paper-based recording system to one in which 76 percent of documents are now recorded electronically, dramatically improving efficiency and turnaround times. The introduction of self-service kiosks reduced wait times and enhanced customer service, supporting approximately 28,000 walk-in customers annually and processing up to 240,000 recorded documents each year.
“Public service is about leaving institutions stronger than you found them,” Church said. “I’m proud that this department is well-positioned for the future with state-of-the-art technology and deeply committed to serving the public with excellence.”
Church emphasized that while he will not seek re-election, his commitment to San Mateo County remains strong. “I look forward to completing my term with the same energy and focus that have guided my entire career,” he said. “I am thankful beyond words to the voters, colleagues, community partners, and staff who have made this journey so meaningful.”