Modesto School Board: Cindy Marks and Adolfo Lopez Lead Separate Trustee Races

MODESTO, Stanislaus County — November 4, 2026. Modesto City Schools incumbent trustees Cindy Marks and Adolfo Lopez lead their respective trustee-area contests in early election returns.

Preliminary election numbers

In Trustee Area 1, Cindy Marks had about 55% compared with Nefi Lopez’s 45%. In Trustee Area 7, Adolfo Lopez had about 54% against Fabiola Garcia’s 46%, according to an updated November 4 local news report.

Who votes and what is decided?

These are independent trustee-area elections, not a single two-seat contest. Stephanie Poulsen was the sole named candidate for Area 3. The school district governs educational programs and budgets. Remaining valid ballots may affect the percentages before certification.

Why the report is provisional

These percentages appeared in local reporting updated on November 4, 2026 and do not represent a newly verified November 5 county result. Stanislaus County will review and count additional eligible vote-by-mail, provisional and conditional-registration ballots during its official canvass. Only the Registrar of Voters can certify the outcome.

Sources: The Modesto Focus — updated November 4 election returns; Stanislaus County Registrar of Voters. California58 statewide election coverage.

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