The City Clerk is the City of Sebastopol office that assists in the holding of elections in the City.  The City Clerk does not act in the capacity of assisting any candidate or proponent of a specific issue other than to assist candidates and proposition sponsors to properly file and manage their election related documentation.  The City Clerk does not act as an arbiter, referee or judge with respect to disputes or issues related to any campaigns or the election itself.

The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters is responsible for the operation of all elections in the County.  The rules and regulations with respect to elections potential candidates are enforced by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.  Links to both of those entities are below.





General Municipal Elections are conducted every even-numbered year and are consolidated with the State General Election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.  The next General Municipal Election will be held on November 3, 2020. City of Sebastopol voters will be asked to elect two candiates to serve a four-year term on the City Council.

Approximately four months prior to the November election date, Sebastopol residents interested in running for office should contact the City of Sebastopol City Clerk at (707) 823-1153. The timeframe to file candidate paperwork will be from July 13, 2020  to August 7, 2020.  If the incumbent City Councilmember fails to file, the timeframe will be extended to August 12, 2020.
 Candidate Eligibility

• A candidate must be a United States citizen;
• 18 years old on or before the election day and  and a citizen of the state (Government Code Section 1020);
• A registered voter living in the City of Sebastopol at the time nomination papers are issued (The City Clerk will verify voter registration with the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters.)  Unless otherwise specifically provided, no person is eligible to be elected or appointed to an elective office unless that person is a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person.  A person is not eligible to hold office as a member of a municipal legislative body unless he or she is otherwise qualified, resides in the district and both resided in the geographical area making up the district from which he or she is elected and was a registered voter of the city at the time nomination papers are issued to the candidate as provided for in Section 10227 of the Elections Code.
• Conviction of Crimes
  A person is disqualified from holding any office upon conviction of designated crimes as specified in the Constitution and the laws of the State of California (Government Code Section 1021).

 Candidate Fees
There are no City of Sebastopol filing fees, however, candidates who choose to have their "Candidate Statement of Qualifications" printed in the sample ballot issued by the County Registrar of Voters must bear the actual cost of printing and distribution.  Candidates who opt for this printing are required to pay the fee when the nomination paper and forms are filed with the City of Sebastopol City Clerk.
Forms Required when Filing for Candidate Nomination
In accordance with State law, candidates are required to complete designated forms when filing for candidacy. 

• Nomination Paper
• Ballot Designation Worksheet
• FPPC Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement (if not already filed)
• FPPC Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interest
• Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications (optional)
• Code of Fair Campaign Practices Agreement (optional)

Nomination Paper – with signatures of 20 City of Sebastopol registered voters (the City Clerk will verify the voter signatures on the nomination paper with the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters).
Please be aware that in accordance with State law, all documents are public record after the close of the nomination period; however, personal information on nomination petition will be redacted i.e., addresses.
Fair Political Practices Commission
To run for elected office the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires that candidates provide financial disclosures. Please see FPPC website.
Campaign Contribution Limit
The City of Sebastopol has no campaign contribution limits.

You Can Register to Vote in California, if you are:

• A U.S. Citizen
• A California Resident
• At least 18 years of age on or before the next election
• Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
• Not declared mentally incompetent by court action

Public Information: Becoming a candidate for public office means that information about you will become a matter of public record. With a few exceptions, this includes any and all documents submitted to the City during the course of the election. Consequently, these documents must, by law, be available to the public for inspection and/or copying.

NOVEMBER 

Nominations open - July 13, 2020
Nominations deadline  - August 7, 2020 - Note:   If any incumbent elected officer does not file for election,  the  nomination  period  will  be  extended  to Wednesday, August 12, 2020  at 5:00 p.m.
Consolidation deadline, measures
Tax rate statements deadline, bond measures
Measure letter assignments
Extended nomination deadline
Deadline to amend/withdraw measure
Random alphabet drawing
Argument deadline
Impartial analysis due
Rebuttal deadline (only if opposing arguments are filed)
First day sample ballots may be mailed
Voting by mail opens
Registration deadline
Deadline to request ballot by mail
Deadline to certify election results

 

Useful Links

Counties

• Sonoma County Registrar of Voters

State of California

• California Fair Political Practices Commission