Eligibility and Candidacy (Este Texto Esta en Español Abajo)
Individuals interested in candidacy for the seat of City Councilmember are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office for more information. Potential candidates will be required to file Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) forms disclosing economic interests held in the city, as well as information about any campaign contributions received.
In order to be eligible to hold office as member of the Council, a person must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age on or before Election Day and a registered voter of the City of Rohnert Park in the district for which they are running at the time nomination papers are issued for his or her candidacy and shall continue to reside in the district for which they are elected during the term of office. To find which district you reside in, click here.
Councilmember seats from Districts 1, 3 and 4 will be up for election on the November 3, 2020 General Municipal Ballot.
Nomination Period
This is the period when individuals officially receive, circulate and file nomination papers for candidacy.
The nomination period for candidates opens at 8:00 a.m. on July 13, 2020 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2020. If an incumbent fails to submit nomination papers by this deadline, non-incumbent candidates will have until 5:00 p.m. on August 12, 2020 to file nomination papers.
Candidates are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office to schedule an appointment to take out and/or file nomination papers.
Campaign Signs
Per Rohnert Park Municipal Code Sections 17.27.050, political campaign signs in the City of Rohnert Park are exempt from permit requirements but must conform to the following:
- Signs are not permitted on any public property or within any public right-of-way
- Signs placed upon privately owned property must receive consent of the owner or occupant
- Signs must be removed within ten days after the day of the election, November 13, 2020
- Signs shall not be placed without the written consent of the property owner (note: signs in City right-of-way are not allowed; signs in State right-of-way require a special permit from CalTrans).
Resources
Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC)
The Fair Political Practices Commission is a non-partisan commission that has primary responsibility for the impartial effective administration of the Political Reform Act.
The Act regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbing, and governmental ethics. The Commission’s objectives are to ensure that public officials act in a fair and unbiased manner in the governmental decision-making process, to promote transparency in government, and to foster public trust in the political system.
In order to comply with FPPC regulations, several forms will be required of Nominees, these forms are public documents and public access must be provided.
Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement – Candidates must file the Form 501 before soliciting or receiving any contributions or before making expenditures from personal funds on behalf of their candidacy.
Form 700 Statement of Economic Interest – The Political Reform Act requires most state and local government officials and employees to publicly disclose their personal assets and income. They also must disqualify themselves from participating in decisions that may affect their personal economic interest.
Form 410 Statement of Organization – Candidates must file this form within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions.
Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – A candidate who has a controlled committee or who has raised or spent or will raise or spend $2,000 or more during a calendar year in connection with election to office or holding office.
Form 470 Officeholder and Candidate Campaign Statement, short form – A candidate who does not have a controlled committee; does not anticipate receiving contributions or does not anticipate spending totaling $2,000 or more during a calendar year.
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State’s office is dedicated to making government more transparent and accessible in the areas of elections, business, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures.
The Secretary of State responsibilities include:
- Serving as the state’s Chief Elections Officer
- Serves as a filing officer for Forms 410 Statement of Organization
The contents of this webpage and any legal interpretations contained herein are not to be relied upon either as being correct factually or as legal opinion. Reliance on the content without prior submission to and approval of your appropriate legal counsel is at the reader's risk.