GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Municipal Election will be held in the City of Martinez on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for the following Officers:
- Council Member, District 2 - Full Term of Four Years. Due to redistricting, there is no eligible incumbent for this seat.
- Council Member, District 3 - Full Term of Four Years. There is an eligible incumbent for this seat.
- City Treasurer - Full Term of Four Years. There is an eligible incumbent for this seat.
The nomination period for these offices opens Monday, July 15, 2024 and will close on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Nomination papers are obtained from the City Clerk. The City Clerk's Office is located at City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94533. An appointment is required for obtaining and filing nomination papers. To schedule an appointment or for any other inquiries, please call (925) 372-3512. Appointments will be scheduled during posted hours of operation (shown below):
MONDAY 8AM – 4PM
TUESDAY 8AM – 4PM
WEDNESDAY 8AM – 4PM
THURSDAY 8AM – 4PM
FRIDAY 8AM – 4PM
Per Elections Code §10407, should the eligible incumbent(s) not file nomination papers for their seat by Friday, August 9th, the nomination period will be extended until Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 at 4pm. During this extension period, no incumbent is allowed to file nomination papers. If not more candidates than the number of elective offices is nominated, appointment to the elective offices may be made as prescribed by Elections Code §10229. The polls will be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on election day.
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
1. QUALIFICATIONS. Candidates must be registered to vote in Martinez for at least 30 days before filing nomination papers. To be a registered voter in the City, one must reside in the City of Martinez and be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older.
Candidates for City Council Districts 2 and 3 must reside in the respective District. To ensure this qualification is met, the City Clerk will verify voter registration status with the Contra Costa County Elections Office before issuing nomination papers.
2. NOMINATION PERIOD. Nomination period opens Monday, July 15th and closes Friday, August 9th. During this time, Martinez residents who are interested in running for office can pull nomination papers from the City Clerk's Office.
- To pull nomination papers: an appointment with the City Clerk is required. During this appointment, the City Clerk will confirm your eligibility and review the paperwork with you. This appointment will last roughly one-hour.
- To submit nomination papers: an appointment with the City Clerk is required. During this appointment, the City Clerk will review your nomination papers for accuracy and completion. This appointment will last roughly a half-hour.
3. CAMPAIGN FILINGS & OBLIGATIONS. Candidates who intend to file nomination papers during the Nomination Period will be subject to filing obligations, pursuant to the Political Reform Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), Government Code, Elections Code and/or City Municipal Code. The City of Martinez requires electronic filing of campaign statements. Contact the City Clerk's Office to request a NetFile electronic campaign filing account to file campaign statements electronically.
- Form 501: Candidate Intention Statement: Must be filed before soliciting or receiving any contributions, or before making expenditures on behalf of a candidacy. This Form must be filed in hardcopy with the City Clerk.
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Form 410: Statement of Organization of Recipient Committee: Must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions. Note: Municipal elections are non-partisan.
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Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests: The Political Reform Act under Government Code Section 87200 requires officials and candidates or the elective offices specified in the Code to file Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests, at the time of filing nomination papers and periodically to disclose certain investments, interests in real property, sources of income, gifts, loans and business positions. State law requires that an original form be filed with the City Clerk at the same time nomination papers are filed. Note: Martinez Municipal Code Section 2.88.010 requires electronic filing of Form 700s and other forms required by Government Code Sections 87200 and 84100.
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Campaign Contribution Limits: Campaign contributions are currently limited to $4,900 per contributor in aggregate as imposed by Assembly Bill 571.
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Candidate Written Statements (Optional): If you choose to submit a statement for publication in the voter information guide sent to voters, the City Clerk will provide the appropriate form. Once filed, the statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, on or before the closing of the nomination period and until 3 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. There are additional requirements and prohibitions in preparing this statement under Section 13307 of the Elections Code.
- Ballot Designations: The candidate’s designation of occupation or identification to be printed on the ballot shall not exceed three words. There are additional requirements and prohibitions under Section 13107 of the Elections Code.
4. CANDIDATE & ELECTION RESOURCES. Below are links to various resources for Candidates, and general election information for the public:
