If You Have Ever Considered Running for City Council Now is Your Time

If running for City Council in the Coachella Valley is on your bucket list, now could be your moment.

City councils throughout the Valley have openings, as do water boards, College of the Desert and more. The official nomination period is now open. If you have a specific question about your city, contact your city clerk.

Official Nomination Period
If you’re considering running for City Council in Cathedral City, this is what you need to know about the nomination process:

Nomination Period:

  • The official nomination period opens on July 15, 2024, and closes on August 9, 2024.
  • If an incumbent does not file by the deadline, the nomination period will be extended to August 14, 2024.

Candidate Qualifications:

  • You must be a registered voter at your current residence in the City of Cathedral City.
  • You must reside in the district for which you are running.
  • You need to obtain between 20 and 30 signatures from district voters on the official nomination papers.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must not be disqualified from holding office under the Constitution or laws of the State of California.

Next Steps:

To get started, please contact the City Clerk’s Office to schedule an appointment for the issuance of nomination papers and to receive the candidate handbook. You can reach the office at (760) 770-0322 or via email at [email protected].

Campaign Disclosure Forms
Under the Political Reform Act, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) mandates that both candidates and political action committees (PACs) provide detailed disclosures regarding their campaign fundraising and expenditures. This transparency helps maintain the integrity of electoral processes and ensures public access to financial information about campaigns.

Campaign Contribution Limits
The City of Cathedral City adopted Resolution 2020-53 establishing Campaign Contribution Limits in accordance with Elections Code Section 10202 (automatically repealed on January 1, 2021) and Government Code Section 85702. 5 (effective on January 1, 2021) imposing campaign contribution limits on candidates running for elective office within the City.

Click here for Resolution 2020-53.

Election Sign Regulations
Click here for more information regarding election sign regulations within the City of Cathedral City.

External Resources
California Secretary of State
Riverside County Registrar of Voters
Fair Political Practices Commission

Role of the City Clerk
The City Clerk oversees local elections and works closely with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters to manage municipal elections. Responsibilities include:

  • Preparing resolutions for general and special elections.
  • Managing the candidate nomination process.
  • Handling initiatives, referendums, and recall petitions.
  • Officially announcing election results.

Please note that while the City Clerk handles election filings, they cannot provide detailed guidance on disclosure forms required by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). For specific questions about these forms, refer to the FPPC’s Campaign Disclosure Manual for Local Candidates. You can also contact the FPPC directly for advice at 1-866-ASK-FPPC (1-866-275-3772), available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Cathedral City City Clerk’s Location, Contact Information, and Business Hours:

Location:

Cathedral City City Hall
2nd Floor
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 922234

Contact Information:

Phone: (760) 770-0322
Email: [email protected]

Business Hours

Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed on all major public holidays.

If you have questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 760 770-0322 or email [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Shutterstock