City Council Elections 2024

Nomination and Qualification

The nomination period opens on July 15, 2024 and closes on August 9, 2024. This is the time period where interested individuals must qualify to become City Council candidates. 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 to August 14, 2024.

Nomination papers may be obtained from the City Clerk by appointment at City Hall, 7th Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Completed nomination papers are filed with the City Clerk by appointment at City Hall Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. To make an appointment, please book online or call 650-329-2571. 

During the nomination period you are required to:

• Obtain 25 signatures from Palo Alto registered voters nominating you for City Council
• Submit a 200 word candidate statement that will appear in the Voter Guide
• Sign a Code of Fair Campaign Practices
• Acknowledge the City’s Political Sign regulations

There are three eligibility requirements to run for City Council.

1. Be Registered To Vote in Palo Alto
   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)
2. 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)
3. 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) 

Campaign finance is governed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) of the State of California. All candidates for state and local office and any committee formed to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure are required to file campaign disclosure statements. The FPPC has manuals that walk you through the process. Candidates for City Council should review Manual 2: Information for Local Candidates. It is the responsibility of the candidate and/or committee to file the required campaign disclosure statements in a timely manner. If you have any questions please consult the FPPC's campaign disclosure manuals or ask the FPPC for advice

Additionally, candidates running for local office are required to file Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests). Investments, interests in real property, and business positions held on the date of filing your declaration of candidacy must be reported. The City of Palo Alto uses the online system NetFile for entering and disclosing candidate's statements.

eFile Employee/Elected Official Login

eFile Public Portal

Other Resources

• FPPC Filing Schedule
• FPPC All Forms
• The Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 for Local Candidates
• Form 700 - Statements of Economic Interests

Political signs may be erected in conformity with Section 16.20 in the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC). Political signs do not require a permit but there are some regulations to follow.

1. No sign shall be placed on any public property, including but not limited to any city building, sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, railroad trestle, wire pole, street sign, or traffic sign.
2. Wall signs in residential districts shall not exceed an area of one square foot of sign for each forty square feet of wall area. Wall signs are allowed a minimum area of six square feet and maximum area of one hundred fifty square feet, regardless of wall area.
3. Political signs must be completely removed no later than six days following the day of the election to which it relates. Any political sign not removed within six days shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed by the Building Division.
4. Unsafe and unlawful signs may be removed by the Building Division or the Police Department.
5. Before placing any signs or sign structures within view of a county or state highway, a statement by a responsible party with a notarized signature must be filed with the Chief of the Highway Outdoor Advertising Program, State Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 942874, Sacramento, CA 94274- 0001, or 1120 "N" Street (5th floor), Sacramento, California 98514.

Reporting Non-Compliant Signs

Please contact the City's Code Enforcement Division through PaloAlto311 or the City Clerk's Office at City.Clerk@cityofpaloalto.org to report non-compliant signs.

Interested in Running? Learn about the City

City Charter & Municipal Code
History of Palo Alto
City Council Agendas

Other Resources

Palo Alto 2022 Candidate Guide(PDF, 19MB)
County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters
State of California Elections Code
State of California Elections and Voter Information
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)