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Election Information
NOVEMBER 3, 2020 GENERAL ELECTION
The next election in the City of Seaside will take place on November 3, 2020.
The Municipal Elections are held in November of even numbered years in the City of Seaside. The elective officers of the City consist of a City Council made up of four Council Members and a directly elected Mayor, who are elected in a non-partisan election. All elected members serve at-large.
The Mayor is elected every two years, and the City Council members are elected to four-year overlapping terms.
OFFICES TO BE VOTED ON FOR SEASIDE’S GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020
MAYOR (1 SEAT) Incumbent: Ian Oglesby | 2-year term | November 2020-2022 |
COUNCIL (2 SEATS) Incumbent: Dave Pacheco Incumbent: Alissa Kispersky | 4-year term | November 2020-2024 |
- How To Run For Office
- Election Dates to Remember
- Qualifications
- Political Signs
- Election Resources
- Campaign Finances & The FPPC
- Compensation
How to run for office
Running for office can be as intense, or as easy as you make it. You chose the level of effort you want to put into it.
There are two parts to running for office; one is required, one is voluntary.
Nomination and Qualification
In order to have your name on the ballot for the November 3, 2020 election, you have to " register & qualify". The registration and qualification period begins on July 13th, with the opening of the "nomination period" and closes on August 7th. If an incumbent, or the currently seated elected official, does not file for re-election, then the nomination period is extended for 5 more days.
During this period you will be required to do the following:
- Obtain 20 signatures from Seaside registered voters "nominating" you for the position of either Mayor or Council Member
- Submitting a 200 word candidate statement that will appear in the Voter Guide
- Submit your Ballot Designation, or the three words you want to appear next to your name on the ballot
- Sign a Code of Fair Campaign Practices
- Take an Oath of Office
- Acknowledge the city’s Political Sign regulations
Campaign Finances
Raising money for an election is entirely voluntary. We have had candidates who have been elected that raised no money for their campaign, we have also had candidates that have raised significant sums. Campaign finances are governed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) of the state of California.
There are several forms that are necessary to keep track of campaign finances, but there are many, many, many pages of instructions to help you through the process.
All funds that are raised for campaigns are public information. The public has the right to know who is contributing to an election campaign. All campaign reporting forms for local candidates are filed and made available for the public in the City Clerk’s office. Read the section on Campaign Finances and the FPPC on this page for a deatailed listing of the FPPC required forms.
Election Dates to Remember
June 29 to July 13 | Cities Publish Election Notice (127-113) |
July 13 to August 7 | Declarations of Candidacy/Nomination Papers Between these dates, eligible candidates for all offices may obtain and file required nomination forms, submit statements and payments (113-88) |
July 27 | Semi-Annual Campaign Statements Due |
August 7 | Candidate Filing Period Closes (88) |
August 8 to 12 | Extended Candidate Filing Period for Declarations of Candidacy/Nomination (87-83) If an eligible incumbent does not file or fails to qualify by 5:00 p.m., candidates other than the incumbent may obtain and file all required nomination forms |
August 7 | Last Day for Local Jurisdiction to File a Measure (88) |
September 7 to 20 | Statement of Write-in Candidacy (57-14) Between these dates, any qualified person may obtain and file nomination forms to be a Write-in candidate for public office. Filing fee is not required. |
September 24 | First Pre-Election Statement Due/Supplemental Expenditure Reports Due (40) |
October 18 to November 2 | Late Contribution/Independent Expenditure Report (16-1) |
October 19 | Voter Registration Closes (15) |
October 22 | Second Pre Election Statement Due (12) |
November 3 | Election Day |
December 3 | Last day for County to certify election results (30) |
**Click the link below for the full Monterey County Elections Calendar
Qualifications
There are three requirements to be eligible to become an elected member of the Seaside City Council:
- Be Registered To Vote in Seaside "Unless otherwise specifically provided, no person is eligible to be elected or appointed to an elective office unless that person is a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person or at the time of the person’s appointment." (Elections Code Section 201)
- Have no Felony Convictions. A person is disqualified from holding an office upon conviction of designated crimes as specified in the Constitution and laws of the state. (Government Code Section 1021)
- If Elected, You Have to Serve. The Declaration of Candidacy, which each candidate must file, states that if elected the candidate will qualify for and accept the office. The affidavit also states that the candidate will not withdraw before the election. (Elections Code Section 8028, 8040, 10510, 10511)
Political signs
Every campaign season, complaints are made about the placement of campaign signs on private property.
Signs are allowed no more than sixty (60) days prior to the Election: September 4, 2020.
Removal of signs within ten (10) days after Election: November 13, 2020
Political signs are allowed in compliance with the following requirements:
SEASIDE MUNICIPAL CODE 17.38.040.C.2 Political Signs.
- Before the placement of a political sign, the agent/candidate shall post with the City Clerk a plan for the removal of all signs placed in commercial and industrial zones and removal of all signs placed by the candidate or the agent in residential zones. In the event that the signs are not removed in compliance with the plan for removal, the City shall provide notice and summary abatement. The removal plan shall also apply to signs located at campaign or party headquarters.
- No political signs shall be erected prior to sixty-day period immediately preceding any election.
- In commercial and industrial zones, each political sign and the total political signs on a parcel shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
- In residential zones, no political sign shall exceed six square feet in area, and must have consent of the property owner.
- Signs must not violate the state laws as to Form and Content.
- No political sign shall be located within a public right-of-way.
- All political signs shall be removed within 10 days after the election to which the signs pertain.
Election Resources
Valuable resources available for you and your campaign are:
The Seaside Municipal Code (http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Seaside/) which describes local rules affecting local candidate activities | CALIFORNIA FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION TOLL FREE: (866) 275-3772 OR (916) 322-5662 www.fppc.ca.gov advice@fppc.ca.gov TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION Monday – Friday 9AM-11:30 and 1:30-3:30 (Campaign Disclosure, State Contribution Limits, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Filing of Forms 410, 501, 460 etc.) |
Monterey County Elections | LEGAL DIVISION (916) 322-5901 Monday – Friday 9AM - NOON Conflict of Interest Disqualification/Proper Use of Campaign Funds |
STATE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD (800) 852-5711 (800) 338-0505 STATEWIDE AUTOMATED INFORMATION Committee Tax Status Tax Deductible Contributions Charitable Non-Profit Group Any other Tax Related Questions | ENFORCEMENT DIVISION (916) 322-5660 or (866) 275-3772 To file a complaint Under the Political Reform Act http://www.fppc.ca.gov/enforcement/file-a-complaint.html |
SECRETARY OF STATE POLITICAL REFORM DIVISION (916) 653-6224 Committee Identification Number Termination of Committee | State regulations that govern elections at the state and local level (www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html) |
Campaign Finances and the FPPC
Compensation
Elected Officials are essentially volunteers in the City of Seaside.
Each Council Member shall receive a salary in the sum of $400 per month. (Ord. No. 703). This has not been increased since 1986.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact the City Clerk's Office at 831-899-6707 for more information on General Municipal Elections or Voter Registration.
City Clerk Election Responsibilities
The City Clerk is the Election Official for the City of Seaside and facilitates all Municipal Elections for the City. The City Clerk assists candidates in meeting their legal responsibilities before, during and after an election, from Election pre-planning to certification of election results and filing of all campaign disclosure documents. The City Clerk also assists with ballot initiatives, referendums and measures.
What is the Fair Political Practices Commission?
The Fair Political Practices Commission is a five-member independent, non-partisan commission that has primary responsibility for the impartial and effective administration of the Political Reform Act.
The Act regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbying, 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.
Quesitons about Campaign Finance statements you are required to file for the CIty of Seaside Elections?
CALIFORNIA FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION
TOLL FREE: (866) 275-3772 OR (916) 322-5662
www.fppc.ca.gov
advice@fppc.ca.gov
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION
Monday – Friday 9AM-11:30 and 1:30-3:30
• Campaign Disclosure
• State Contribution Limits
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure
• Filing of Forms 410, 501, 460 etc.
LEGAL DIVISION (916) 322-5901
Monday – Friday 9AM - NOON
Conflict of Interest Disqualification Proper Use of Campaign Funds
ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
(916) 322-5660 or (866) 275-3772
To file a complaint Under the Political Reform Act
http://www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/EnforcementDiv/complaint_form.pdf