Interested in Running for Office
How to Run for Office Details
What can I run for?
The City of South San Francisco has three elective offices:
- City Councilmember (District representatives)
- City Clerk (At-large)
- City Treasurer (At-large)
The City Clerk and City Treasurer are elected citywide. Every voter registered in the City may vote to fill these offices.
Each of the five Council members are elected by district. In other words, only voters registered in the district with the open Council seat may vote to fill that seat. Officeholders are elected to a four-year term. There are no term limits in the City.
Am I eligible?
Office of the City Clerk and City Treasurer
Candidates must be residents and registered voters of the City of South San Francisco.
Office of City Councilmember
Candidates must live in and be registered voters in the city council district where they are seeking election when nomination papers are issued pursuant to Government Code Section 34882 and Elections Code Section 10227.
The City Clerk will verify address and voter registration before issuing nomination papers. Termination of residency in a district by a Council Member shall create an immediate vacancy for that council district unless a substitute residence within the district is established within 30 days after the termination of residency.
To be eligible to run for City Council, a person must:
- Be at least eighteen years of age
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be a resident of South San Francisco
- Be a registered voter and a resident within the district the candidate seeks to represent as a Councilmember.
- Be a registered voter of the City of South San Francisco if seeking to run for City Clerk or City Treasurer at-large seats.
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).
When can I run?
Although the City holds candidate elections every two years, any given seat is usually only up for election once every four years. (If a seat is vacated before the term is up, the Council may fill the vacancy or call for a special election)
Form 501, Candidate Intention Statement
Prior to soliciting or receiving campaign contributions, a candidate must file a Form 501, Candidate Intention Statement, with the City Clerk. State law requires the filing of campaign disclosure statements by local candidates for elective office, elected officeholders, and committees supporting or opposing local candidates or ballot measures. Statements are filed on a regular cycle, with additional statements required during election years. These statements provide the public with details on who contributes money to a committee, and how that money is spent. Those involved with campaign committees should become fully aware of the legal requirements surrounding campaign reporting.
Nomination Period
Monday, July 15, 2024
Nomination Period opens
Friday, August 9, 2024
Nomination Period closes at 5:00 pm
Candidates must obtain and complete the official nomination documents that are issued by the Office of the City Clerk. This is done during the official nomination period (between 118 and 89 days before a regular election-- and must be returned before the end of that period).
During this time candidates may obtain a nomination packet, which includes the forms needed to run for office. Nomination papers must be returned to the City Clerk for review and certification.
Prior to issuing documents the City Clerk or designated staff shall verify the eligibility of the candidate. A candidate should be prepared to provide their name and residential address for validation of current voter registration and eligibility status.
Electronic submission of forms will be used solely for the purpose of review by the City Clerk’s office to process and verify candidate information and will not deem a candidate as qualified to run for office until the original documents are received. The nominations packet will include the official form necessary for candidates to obtain the signatures of at least 20 registered voters of the City of South San Francisco. Filing deadlines are established by State law and must be adhered to.
Extended Nomination Period
If an incumbent who is eligible to run does not file, the deadline will be extended to Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Please note that if an incumbent for the office of Councilmember, eligible for re-election, does not file a declaration of candidacy, there will be a five-day extension allowed for any person other than the incumbent to file a declaration of candidacy for such office. If required, the extended filing period for non-incumbent candidates would end on the date established.
Write-In Candidates
Candidates who desire to be a write-in candidate and have his or her name written on the ballot of an election shall fulfill the requirements of Part 3 of Division 8 of the Elections Code, commencing at Section 8600. Write-in candidates must meet all qualifications of the office to which they are seeking the nomination. The name of the qualified write-in candidate is not printed on the ballot. Prospective write-in candidates should note that write-in candidacy is possible only if the office appears on the ballot. Candidates interested in running as a write-in candidate may contact City Clerk Rosa Govea Acosta to schedule an appointment to pull nomination papers.