Elections Information
Thinking About Running for City Council in November 2024?
The following information is provided to assist you in meeting local and state regulations if you would like to run for City Council in the upcoming November 5, 2024 election.
Please note that this guide is not all-encompassing and is not intended to be a sole source of election information. This guide is intended to provide general information only.
2024 Candidate Guidelines
The Town of Colma City Council consists of five members who are elected at-large on a non-partisan basis for a four-year term by the voters of Colma. Elections are held in November of even-numbered years. There will be three seats open in the November 5, 2024 election.
Eligibility
Government Code Section 36502(a) states that City Council Member must be an elector of the Town of Colma at the time of assuming office and a registered voter of the Town of Colma at the time nomination papers are issued to the candidate. Persons residing in the unincorporated area of San Mateo County are not eligible to run for office in the Town of Colma. The City Clerk will verify voter registration and residency.
Nomination Papers
The nomination period opens at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to complete and return all required nomination documents early in the process so that the City Clerk can review it with the candidate and to give the candidate an opportunity to correct any errors or omissions. To schedule an appointment, please contact City Clerk Michelle Estabillo at mestabillo@colma.ca.gov or by calling 650-997-8311. Please allow a minimum of 30 minutes for the appointment. Town Hall business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If an incumbent fails to submit nomination papers and all other required nomination documents by the deadline or fails to qualify by the deadline, the nomination period is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, for all candidates, with the exception of the incumbent. Candidates may withdrawal their nomination documents and remove their name from the ballot up until the close of the nomination period.
Click on the following link to obtain additional Important Dates to Remember.
Filing Obligations
Candidates who intend to file nomination papers during the Nomination Period may incur filing obligations prior to the Nomination Period, pursuant to the Political Reform Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). See FPPC Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 for information regarding filing obligations.
Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement: Must be filed before soliciting or receiving any contributions, or before making expenditures on behalf of a candidate.
Form 410 Statement of Organization Recipient Committee: Must be filed with the Secretary of State with in 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions. File the original with the Secretary of State’s Office and copy with the Town of Colma City Clerk.
Additional Documents to be Filed During the Nomination Period
Ballot Designations
A ballot designation is a brief description, generally no more than three (3) words, that candidates provide to describe their current office or primary occupation in the preceding 12 months. There are additional requirements and prohibitions under Section 13107 of the Elections Code and 2 California Code of Regulations Sections 20710 et. seq.
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. The cost for translating, printing, and mailing the candidate statement in English, Chinese, Tagalog (Filipino), and Spanish will be paid by the Town of Colma. Once filed, the statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, on or before the closing of the nomination period. There are additional requirements and prohibitions in preparing this statement under Sections 13307 and 13308 of the Elections Code.
FPPC Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests
The Political Reform Act under Government Code Section 87200 requires officials and candidates for the elective offices specified in the Code to file a Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests at the time of filing nomination papers and annually 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.
Additional Regulations, Requirements, and Resources
Campaign Contribution Limits
The Town of Colma does not have a local campaign contribution limit. However, state contribution limits apply to Colma candidates. For January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024 the default limit for contributions from a single source is set at $5,500 per election. For more information, visit the FPPC website.
Campaign Signs
No campaign signs may be posted within 100 feet of the property boundaries of any polling place. Signs may not be placed on any public property or along or within a public street. All temporary non-commercial signs and sign structures must be removed 10 days after the election.
FPPC Filing Schedule
The complete filing schedule for candidates and controlled committees for local office to be voted upon at the November 5, 2024 Election is available on the FPPC website.
Public Disclosure of Records
Nomination Papers and campaign statements are subject to public disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 7920-7931). However, candidate statements are not subject to public disclosure until after the nomination period closes.