Candidate Guide

Common Questions & Answers

• 1. When can I come in to get my nomination papers?
  • Candidates can pick-up nomination papers beginning July 13 thru August 7, 2015.
• 2. Can I get my documents for the City/Town Council election from the County office?
  • No, you must contact the City/Town clerk for nomination documents, manuals, and filing information.
    This manual may be used by Council candidates as a general reference guide only.
• 3. Can I make an appointment to discuss the nomination process and/or file my papers?
  • Yes. Although it’s not required, appointments are a good idea especially if you’re new to the process. Call (415) 473-6437 to schedule an appointment.
• 4. Are there forms that I can fill out before coming to your office?
  • Yes, you can fill out the Candidate’s Application Form and send it to the Elections office. When we receive your form we will prepare your personalized documents so they’ll be ready when you come to this office.
• 5. Do I need to collect signatures or pay a filling fee for my candidacy?
  • It depends on the jurisdiction of the office you’re seeking. The Candidate Nomination Papers section of the Candidate’s Guide provides this information for you.
• 6. What is a candidate’s statement?
  • It’s an optional way to let the voters in your district know about you. You can write a 200 word statement that is published in our sample ballot booklet. The Candidate Statement section of the Candidate’s Guide on the has information about the format and costs of the candidate statements.
• 7. I want to pass around a small amount of flyers for my candidacy. Are there rules about this?
  • Yes there are rules. Whether flyers, yard signs, or internet ads, make sure you’re aware of all campaign finance rules. These rules and all other campaign finance information are in the FPPC finance manuals on the FPPC website.
• 8. Are there special campaign finance rules for State candidates?
  • There are special finance rules and filing obligations for state and judicial candidates. This information is in FPPC Manual 1 and is published on the FPPC website.
• 9. How do I know who has filed for office?
  • The Election Schedule will have a candidate list that will be updated daily with the names of candidates who have filed for a specific office.

Important Dates

Offices Open for Nomination

• SCHOOL DISTRICTS – Governing Board Members/Trustees

  School District Qualifications:

  • Candidates must be a registered voter in the district who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a public office. (Education Code §35107)
  • A Board of Education candidate must be an elector of the trustee area which he or she represents and shall be elected by the electors of the trustee area. (Education Code §1000)
  • Any registered voter is eligible to be a member of the county board of education except the county superintendent of schools or any member of his or her staff, or any employee of a school district that is within the jurisdiction of the county board of education. (Education Code 1006)

  	# of Seats	Term
  Dixie School District	Two	4 years
  Kentfield School District	Two	4 years
  Laguna Joint School District	One**	4 years
  Laguna Joint School District	One**	2 years
  Lagunitas School District	Two	4 years
  Larkspur-Corte Madera School District	Two	4 years
  Larkspur-Corte Madera School District	One	2 years
  Lincoln School District	One	4 years
  Marin Community College District	Four	4 years
  Mill Valley School District	Two	4 years
  Nicasio School District	One	4 years
  Novato Unified School District	Four	4 years
  Reed Union School District	Two	4 years
  Ross School District	Two	4 years
  Ross Valley School District	Three	4 years
  San Rafael School District	Three*	4 years
  Tamalpais Union High School District	Two	4 years
  Tamalpais Union High School District	One	2 years
  Union Joint School District	One**	4 years
  Shoreline Unified School District
  Trustee Area No. 1	One	4 years
  Trustee Area No. 2	One	4 years
  Trustee Area No. 3	Two	4 years
  County Board of Education
  Trustee Area No. 1	One	4 years
  Trustee Area No. 2	One	4 years
  Trustee Area No. 4	One	4 years
  Trustee Area No. 7	One	4 years

  • * Nomination papers issued by City Clerk
    ** Nomination papers issued from candidate’s county of residence (Marin or Sonoma)


• CITY/TOWN ELECTIONS - Nomination papers issued by City/Town Clerk

  City/Town Candidates: You must contact the appropriate City/Town Clerk’s office. Candidates for City/Town offices must file with the City/Town Clerk’s office, which may have different required deadlines and procedures.

  	# of Seats	Term
  City of Larkspur - Council Members	Two	4 years
  City of Mill Valley - Council Members	Three	4 years
  City of Novato - Council Members	Three	4 years
  City of San Rafael
  Mayor	One	4 years
  Council Members	Two	4 years
  City Clerk	One	4 years
  City Attorney	One	4 years
  Town of Corte Madera - Council Members	Two	4 years
  Town of Fairfax
  Council Members	Two	4 years
  Town Clerk	One	4 years
  Town Treasurer	One	4 years
  Town of San Anselmo
  Council Members	Two	4 years
  Town Clerk	One	4 years
  Town Treasurer	One	4 years
  Town of Tiburon - Council Members	Two	4 years



• SPECIAL DISTRICTS

  Special District Qualifications:

  • Candidates must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time nomination papers are issued to the candidate. (Election Code §201)
  • Any additional qualifications determined by the principal act of the district.
  
  
  • COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICTS - Directors

    	# of Seats	Term
    Bel Marin Keys CSD	Three	4 years
    Marin City CSD	Two	4 years
    Marinwood CSD	Three	4 years
    Muir Beach CSD	Two	4 years
    Muir Beach CSD	One	2 years
    Tamalpais CSD	Three	4 years
    Tomales Village CSD	Two	4 years
    Tomales Village CSD	One	2 years

  • FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS - Directors

    	# of Seats	Term
    Kentfield Fire District	Two	4 years
    Kentfield Fire District	One	2 years
    Novato Fire District	Three	4 years
    Novato Fire District	One	2 years
    Sleepy Hollow Fire District	Two	4 years
    Southern Marin Fire District	Three	4 years
    Stinson Beach Fire District	Three	4 years
    Tiburon Fire District	Two	4 years

  • SANITARY DISTRICTS - Directors

    	# of Seats	Term
    Alto Sanitary District	Three	4 years
    Homestead Valley Sanitary District	Three	4 years
    Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District	Two	4 years
    Novato Sanitary District	Two	4 years
    Novato Sanitary District	One	2 years
    Richardson Bay Sanitary District	Two	4 years
    Richardson Bay Sanitary District	Two	2 years
    Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District	Two	4 years
    Sanitary District No. 5 - Tiburon	Three	4 years
    Sanitary District No. 5 - Tiburon	One	2 years

  • OTHER DISTRICTS - Directors

    	# of Seats	Term
    Bolinas Public Utility District	Two	4 years
    Inverness Public Utility District	Three	4 years
    Inverness Public Utility District	One	2 years
    North Marin Water District	Three	4 years

Candidate Nomination Papers

You must file your nomination papers by the specified deadlines.

• Declaration of Candidacy form

  • When and where to pick up your form

    The Declaration of Candidacy form is available starting July 13, 2015 from the Marin County Elections Office. If you cannot pick up or file this form in person, you may not file by fax, but you may:

    • Use certified mail or a delivery service: Your signature on the Declaration of Candidacy form must be notarized, or
    • Send an authorized person to pick up and file your form. Give the authorized person a written, dated, and signed authorization that says:
    • The name of the person you authorized to pick up / file your form, and
    • You know that your form must be properly filled out and filed by the deadline.

    Note: The authorized person may not change or correct anything on your nomination papers.

  • Deadline to file your form

    The deadline to file all of your papers is: August 7, 2015, no later than 5 p.m. If you are running for an office with an extended nomination period the deadline to file will be August 12, 2015.

    Note: Candidates may not file nomination forms for more than one term of office for the same district, or for more than one district or municipal office at the same election. (E.C. §§ 10510(b), 10220.5)

  • Name on Ballot
    • You can write your nickname, along with your legal name on your form. If you do not write your nickname on the Declaration of Candidacy form, you cannot use it later on other candidate papers. (A.G. Ops 50-87, 5/27/80)
    • Titles and degrees cannot be listed with the candidate’s name on the ballot.

• Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700

  • Form 700

    This form is a public document requiring candidates to list their personal assets and income. You must file the Form 700 along with your other candidate papers

    If you are elected or appointed to office, you must file this form with the appropriate filing officer for your jurisdiction within 30 days of taking office, and then annually. The form and instructions are on our website, and the Fair Political Practices website

• Nomination Petition

  • Signatures

    City and Towns are the only offices requiring sponsor signatures for candidate nomination. Contact your City or Town Clerk for details and petitions.

• Ballot Designation Requirements

  • General Rules

    The Ballot Designation goes under your name on the ballot.

    You are allowed up to 3 words that describe your current occupation or incumbency status. If you want a ballot designation, you must fill out a Ballot Designation Worksheet (E.C. §§ 13107.3; CA Admin. Code – Elections §§ 20710-20719) and file it with the rest of your candidate papers by the deadline.

    If you do not want a designation, write “NONE” on your Declaration of Candidacy form where it asks for your designation. Also put your initials after the word “NONE.”

    California state law says that your designation must describe your current profession, vocation, or what you do – or did – for a living during the 12 months before the filing deadline. The words you choose must be generic and neutral. And the words must be accurate, and not misleading. (E.C. §§ 13107)

    Here are some examples: High School Teacher, Scientist, Emergency Department Neurologist.

    You may list more than one occupation or vocation, but you are limited to 3 words and you must separate them with a slash. Example: Professor/Mother/Doctor

    Note: If you choose words that are very long, they may be printed in a smaller font size.

  • Other ballot designation rules

    You may use the words community volunteer if:

    • You spend most of your time as a community volunteer,
    • You do not have another principal occupation or vocation, and
    • You do not add any other words to describe another occupation or vocation.
    
    

    You may use the word retired if:

    • You are 55 or older and left your last job or vocation voluntarily,
    • Before retiring, you worked in your last profession during the previous year, and
    • A main source of your income is from a retirement plan or retirement benefits (or you are eligible to receive retirement benefits)
    • Note: You must not abbreviate retired or place it after the word(s) it modifies.
  • Special rules for incumbents

    If you are an incumbent, you may use:

    • Your elected title, even if the title has more than 3 words Example: Board Member, ABC School District
    • Your elected title and your other occupation or vocation, if you use 3 words or less Example: Board Member/Teacher
    • The word Incumbent (without adding any other words) if you are running for the same office you hold now.
    
    

    If you are an appointed incumbent you may use:

    • The words Appointed Incumbent (without adding any other words) if you are running for the same office you hold now.
      Example: Appointed Incumbent
    • The word Appointed along with your current office title.
      Example: Appointed Board Member, ABC School District
    
    

    Judicial candidates that were appointed to a judicial seat are not required to use Appointed, and can use Incumbent instead.

  • Some words are not allowed

    If you choose words that the law does not allow, the Elections Office will notify you. If you do not provide an acceptable alternative designation by the deadline, no ballot designation will be listed after your name.

    Do not use words that	Examples
    Evaluate	Outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, eminent, best, exalted, prominent, advocate, activist, reformer, pro, anti
    Suggest status and do not say your occupation	Taxpayer, patriot, citizen, renter, presidential appointee, husband, wife, scholar, veteran, concerned citizen, activist
    Suggest a racial, religious or ethnic group	Asian, Christian, Irish
    Suggest a political party	Libertarian, Democrat
    Refer to illegal activity	Outlaw, gambler
    Suggest previous occupations	Former, ex (You may use retired. See Other ballot designation rules)
    Name a company, agency or person	Instead of: IBM President, use: Computer Corporation President Instead of: Director, DMV, use: State Agency Director
    Mislead	An occasional activity, hobby, or position that takes up little of your time. You may have to give proof to support the accuracy of your designation.

• Candidate Statements

  • General Information

    You have the option to file a 200 word candidate statement to be printed in the Marin County Voter Information Pamphlet. The Candidate Statement Fees section contains the cost of a statement for each district.

    • Type your statement on a separate piece of paper and attach it to the Candidate Statement form provided with your other candidate papers. You must sign your statement.
    • File your statement along with your other candidate papers by 5 p.m. on Aug. 7th. If you are running for an office with an extended nomination period, the deadline is 5 p.m. on Aug 12th.
    • If the office you are running for covers more than 1 county, you have the option to print your statement in both counties. To do that, you must file your statement in each county and follow both counties’ procedures.
    • The deadline to withdraw your statement is by the close of business of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. You’ll be refunded the cost of the statement.
    • Review your statement carefully before you file. You are not allowed to correct typos or mistakes so be sure to proofread prior to filing it.
    • If you want to change your statement after filing it, your only option is to withdraw as a candidate, and completely re-file as a candidate.
  • Content requirements

    Your candidate statement can include information about your education, experience and other qualifications. It may not include information about any other candidate, your party affiliation, membership, or activity in any political party organizations.

  • Formatting requirements

    Submit your statement in hard copy. We will reformat your text to meet California’s legal requirements listed below. We cannot correct typos or other errors the candidate may have made.

    • Single-spaced in no more than 4 block paragraphs (no indents)
    • No ALL CAPS (use upper and lower case)
    • No italics, no bold, no underlining, no highlights
    • No extra exclamation points
    • No bullets or lists (we will wrap text)
    • 200 words maximum for non-partisan offices
    • 250 words maximum for assembly, senate, and congressional offices

    SAMPLE FORMAT
    STATEMENT OF CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER, CITY COUNCIL Greatest City
    JANE DOE	AGE: 21
    Occupation: Manager Education and Qualifications:
    I can bring to the office a diversity of viewpoints and experience. Born and raised in the San Francisco area, with my family still farming, I can appreciate the concerns of the environmentalists. On the other hand, having been in business since my undergraduate days at college, and with my experience in the rental and real estate field, I appreciate the practical housing choices and frustrations with high rental cost. As a Member of the City Council, I would balance the narrow spectrum of views that have dominated the Council the past four years. I advocate a program to protect our neighborhoods from increasing overcrowding and visual blight.

    For more information on how we count words, go to the How to Count Words section of this guide.

  • ~NEW~ Electronic version of your candidate statement

    A Word version of your candidate statement is now required. It must be emailed to the Election Office by the date requested when you file your nomination papers, and must be an exact version of the required hard copy of your statement. Variations will not be accepted.

  • Candidate Statement Fees

    The costs of candidate statements printed in the County Voter Information Pamphlet are listed below. If you want your statement translated into Spanish, your fee is doubled and a translation fee is added. The fees are based on typesetting, printing, mailing expenses, and the number of registered voters in specific districts based on the report to the Secretary of State of 2/11/15.

    • SCHOOL DISTRICTS PRINTING FEES

      	English	English & Spanish	# of registered voters
      Dixie School District	$245	$590	13,028
      Kentfield School District	$205	$510	7,542
      Laguna Joint School District	$150	$400	112
      Lagunitas School District	$167	$434	2,504
      Larkspur-Corte Madera School District	$215	$530	8,865
      Lincoln School District	$150	$400	72
      Marin Community College District	$1,230	$2,530	144,426
      Mill Valley School District	$295	$690	19,681
      Nicasio School District	$150	$400	408
      Novato Unified School District	$393	$886	32,658
      Reed Union School District	$212	$524	8,588
      Ross School District	$162	$424	1,816
      Ross Valley School District	$267	$634	15,829
      San Rafael School District	$418	$936	35,941
      Tamalpais Union High School District	$700	$1500	73,519
      Union Joint School District	$150	$400	37
      County Board of Education
      Trustee Area No. 1	$298	$696	19,991
      Trustee Area No. 2	$245	$590	12,869
      Trustee Area No. 4	$330	$760	24,295
      Trustee Area No. 7	$295	$690	19,488
      Shoreline Unified School District
      Trustee Area No. 1	$160	$420	1,685
      Trustee Area No. 2	$150	$400	367
      Trustee Area No. 3	$150	$400	256

    • CITIES/TOWNS PRINTING FEES

      	English	English & Spanish	# of registered voters
      Corte Madera	$190	$480	5,697
      Fairfax	$185	$470	5,128
      Larkspur	$207	$514	7,863
      Mill Valley	$217	$534	9,191
      Novato	$358	$816	28,055
      San Anselmo	$210	$520	8,163
      San Rafael	$355	$810	27,584
      Tiburon	$190	$480	5,658

    • SPECIAL DISTRICTS PRINTING FEES

      	English	English & Spanish	# of registered voters
      Bel Marin Keys CSD	$155	$410	1,099
      Marin City CSD	$158	$416	1,344
      Marinwood CSD	$170	$440	3,062
      Muir Beach CSD	$150	$400	265
      Tamalpais CSD	$177	$454	3,889
      Tomales Village CSD	$150	$400	122
      Kentfield Fire District	$180	$460	4,166
      Novato Fire District	$393	$886	32,692
      Sleepy Hollow Fire District	$160	$420	1,627
      Southern Marin Fire District	$270	$640	16,348
      Stinson Beach Fire District	$150	$400	452
      Tiburon Fire District	$183	$466	4,695
      Bolinas Public Utility District	$155	$410	806
      Inverness Public Utility District	$152	$404	499
      Alto Sanitary District	$153	$406	650
      Homestead Valley Sanitary District	$160	$420	1,674
      Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District	$278	$656	17,380
      Novato Sanitary District	$377	$754	30,544
      Richardson Bay Sanitary District	$190	$480	5,641
      Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District	$200	$500	6,752
      Sanitary District No. 5 Tiburon	$177	$454	3,897
      North Marin Water District	$405	$910	34,412

    If the contest you’ve applied for does not go on the ballot due to a lack of candidates, your statement will not be printed in the voter pamphlet and your check will be returned.

• Campaign Finance Statements

  • Basic Rules for All Candidate Committees
    • All campaign finance reports are considered public and may be posted online.
    • Deposit all campaign funds in a separate bank account that is only for the campaign. You cannot add contributed funds to personal accounts.
    • Do not use the same bank account, committee, or committee name that you used in a previous election if you are running for a different office.
    • Open a campaign finance committee at any time using a Form 410. You must open a committee once you raise or spend $1000 for your campaign.
    • Record all contributions and expenses of $25 or more. (Your FPPC Manual offers guidelines for recordkeeping.)
    • Document any donation worth $100 or more, including cash, loans, and in-kind contributions, including the contributor’s name, address, occupation, and employer.
    • Do not use your campaign funds for non-campaign expenses or to make independent expenditures to support or oppose other candidates.
    • If you receive $1000 or more from a single source in the last 90 days before the election, you must disclose it within 24 hours, even if the contributions are from your personal funds. This includes separate contributions from the same source that add up to $1000 or more.
    • Not all Marin County cities and districts have the same campaign contribution limits. To know the limits for your office, contact the local official.
    • All committees are required to pay an annual fee of $50 payable to the Secretary of State. To avoid paying another annual fee for the following year, close your committee by Dec. 31st.
    
    

    Important! Your campaign finance reporting requirements do not end with the election. Be prepared to continuously file reports until you close your committee.

  • Reporting Deadlines for Local Candidates

    Period Reported	Use this form	Deadline
    thru – June 30, 2015	460 Semi-Annual	July 31, 2015
    July 1 – Sept. 19	460 Pre-election	Sept. 24, 2015
    Aug. 6 – Nov. 3	497 Late Contribution Report (for $1000 or more from a single source)	Within 24 hours
    Sept. 20 – Oct. 17	460 Pre-election	Oct. 22, 2015
    Oct. 18 – Dec. 31	460 Semi-Annual	Feb. 1, 2016

    
    

    E-filing! Local Candidate finance statements can be e-filed. It’s free, saves time, and you won’t have to provide signatures or hard copies. For more information contact the Elections Department at 415-473-6437.

  • Fines and Penalties

    The public has the right to see candidates’ current financial reports. Candidates who file late deny the public that right. State law gives counties the authority to fine candidates and committees that file late (Government Code § 91013). If you file late, you may be fined. You may also face penalties from the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission.

    The fines levied by the Marin County Elections Department are $10 per day for each day past the deadline until the required report is filed. If the fines are not paid, the Elections office may file a civil action against the candidate/committee for the amount owed. If the reports are not filed, the Elections office will report the candidate/committee to the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

    The filing officer for Marin County Elections Department is allowed to waive a fine if he finds that the late filing was not intentional or the report was filed before the waiver of liability period ends.

  • Reporting Violations

    If a committee or candidate has violated any campaign disclosure requirement, any person in the affected jurisdiction may file an action or ask for an injunction (Government Code § 91003). Marin County Elections Office will not investigate or prosecute violations, except for civil actions to collect fines owed.

  • Candidate Campaign Finance Forms

    The following is a list of forms used by most local candidates. Other reports may be required depending on the committee’s activity. Please refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 501 – Statement of Intent

      Candidates for state or local office must file this form prior to solicitation or receipt of any contribution, or expenditure of personal funds used for the election. Exception: This form is not required if you will not solicit or receive contributions from other persons, and the only expenditures will be from your personal funds used for the filing fee and statement of qualification in the sample ballot. Candidates who file a Form 501 must establish a separate bank account with a financial institution in California, if they accept contributions. Refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 470 – Campaign Statement

      All candidates who have filed a Form 501 must file at least one campaign statement before the election. Candidates may file the Form 470 if they do not have a controlled committee, do not anticipate receiving contributions totaling $1000 or more during the calendar year, and do not anticipate spending $1000 or more during the calendar year. The Form 470 is filed once, by the first pre-election due date. If the $1000 threshold is achieved, candidates must file the Form 470 Supplement, and establish a campaign committee. Please refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 410 – Statement of Organization

      Candidates must use Form 410 to establish a campaign committee, no later than within 10 days after the committee has spent or received $1000 or more. Form 410 is also used to amend changes to the committee, and termination of the committee. By establishing a committee, candidates are required to file periodic campaign statements until the committee is closed. All committees must file the Form 410 with the Secretary of State. A $50 annual fee payable to the Secretary of State is required. Please refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 460 – Recipient Committee Campaign Statement

      Candidate controlled committees are required to use Form 460 to report all campaign activity during scheduled semi-annual and pre-election periods. Statements must be completed fully and accurately, and filed on time per the filing schedule. Please refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 497 – Late Contribution Report

      A Form 497 Late Contribution Report must be filed if a committee controlled by the candidate receives a contribution (including aggregated amounts) from a single source, or makes contributions, totaling $1000 or more to a candidate or primarily formed committee during the 90 days prior to the candidate’s election.

  • Questions?

    Campaign finance reporting and fund-raising laws change frequently, so make sure you understand your requirements.

    If you are a local candidate, see the FPPC Manual 2 or contact:

    • Email - Dan Miller
      Tel. 415-473-6437 – Fax: 415-473-6447
    
    

    Candidates for state offices may consult the FPPC Manual 1 or contact:

    • Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
      428 J Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, CA 95814
      Tel. 866-275-3772, or www.fppc.ca.gov
    
    
    • Secretary of State, Political Reform Division
      1500 11TH Street, Room 495, Sacramento, CA 95814
      Tel. 916-653-6224, or www.ss.ca.gov/elections
    
    

    Candidates for federal offices must contact:

    • Federal Election Commission:
      800-424-9530, or www.fec.gov
    
    

    You can find more information and manuals at the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website

What All Campaigns Need to Know

Candidates and committees must follow the rules for Advertisements, Signs, & Electioneering.

• • Advertising & Mailers– disclaimers required

    New state regulations require candidate committees to add disclaimers to most advertisements and communications including electronic media. “Paid for by committee name” is the basic disclaimer required by law on most campaign communications sent by a committee. Information about political advertising, communications and mass mailings can be found on the FPPC website in the FPPC Manuals.

• Political Signs

  Before placing any political sign, make sure you understand State, County, and Municipal rules.

  • County Rules

    County rules about posting signs in unincorporated areas of the County:

    County Code 22.60.030: “One sign not exceeding 12 square feet located by an individual on their own residence or place of business or on some part of the property provided the sign is displayed not more than 45 days prior to, or more than ten days after, the conclusion of the political campaign to which it relates.”

    For violations of this ordinance, contact the County Planning Department at 415-473-6269 for information about how to file a complaint.

  • Municipal Rules

    Municipal rules about posting signs within city limits. Contact the people listed below. (Each city may have different rules.)

    Belvedere	City Clerk	435-8908
    Corte Madera	Planning Director	927-5064
    Fairfax	Senior Planner	453-1584
    Larkspur	City Clerk	927-5110
    Mill Valley	Deputy City Clerk	388-4033, ext. 102
    Novato	City Clerk	899-8900
    Ross	Ross Clerk	453-1453
    San Anselmo	Administrative Services	258-4652
    San Rafael	Public Works	485-3355
    Sausalito	City Clerk	289-4100
    Tiburon	Planning Department	435-7390

  • State Rules

    State rules about posting signs on State owned property, contact the Department of Transportation, Outdoor Advertising Program: (916) 654-5327.

• • Electioneering

    It is a misdemeanor to do any of these things within 100 feet, of the poll entrance (E.C. § 18370):

    • Pass around petitions.
    • Try to influence how a voter votes.
    • Put up signs about voter qualifications.
    • Talk to voters about their qualifications to vote.
    • Photograph, film, or record a voter as s/he goes into or leaves a polling place.

Information about taking office

• When does an elected official take office?

  • School & Special District

    School & Special District nominees elected to full terms, including those that are appointed in-lieu of an election, will take office on December 4, 2015. (Election Code § 10515 & 10554)

  • Appointed In-Lieu

    If a nominee is appointed in-lieu of an election to a seat that is vacant, the nominee will take office at the next regular district board member meeting following the ‘appointment in-lieu’ certification by early September. Candidates should contact their district office for further information.

  • Before taking office

    Before taking office, all elected candidates must take the oath of office after the election results are certified. The November 2015 election will be certified no later than December 3, 2015.

  • Elected candidates for City/Town offices

    Elected candidates for City and Town offices must contact the City/Town Clerk for the procedures of taking office.

How to Count Words

Candidate statements are limited to a certain number of words. The rules below explain how we count words. These rules are based on California law, and cannot be changed.

Before you file your material, count the words carefully. If you have too many words, we will ask you to revise your text.

Refer to Election Code §9 for word count regulations.