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Elections
2009 Regular Election
The next regular election is scheduled for October 6, 2009. The Mayor and Council Districts One, Three, Five, Seven and Nine are up for election.
Please notice there has been a change in the date for write in candidates. Write in candidates must file on Tuesday August 18 2009 between 8 AM and 5 PM.
2009 Mayoral Election Calendar
2009 Council Election Calendar
General Information
The City Clerk established campaign procedures that publicly financed candidates for political office follow under the Open and Ethical Election Code.
City elections are non-partisan and have no primaries. At the general election a candidate must receive forty percent of the vote or there is a runoff election between the top two candidates.
Campaign Financing
In 2005 the City Charter was amended to add an option of public financing for City elections. At the candidates option they may attempt to qualify for public financing or choose to finance their campaign through private contributions.
1. Private Financing/Contribution Limits
Individual contributions are Limited by Charter to 5% of the salary of the office being sought. The contribution limit for the Mayor for the 2009 election is $20,000. The contribution limit for Council races is $5,000. There is no limit on how much total money may be raised or spent by a candidate.
2. Public Financing
Candidates for office may attempt to qualify for public financing. If a candidate qualifies for public funds a Mayoral candidate will receive XXX public funds and a Council candidate will receive XXX in public funds to run for office.
Election Rules
City elections are governed by the City Charter Election Code, State election law, City Ordinance and City regulations.
- Article XII, The Election Code, City Charter
- Article XII, The Code of Ethics, City Charter
- Article XVI, Open and Ethical Election Code (Public Financing), City Charter
- City Election Ordinance
- Board of Ethics Code of Ethics Rules
- Board of Ethics Election Rules
- City Clerk Regulations for Public Financing
Campaign Finance Reporting
The Election Code and the Public Financing law both set out a detailed process that candidates or Measure Finance Committees must follow to report campaign contributions and expenditures.