How to Run for Office

Eligibility

To be eligible to run for City Council, you must be a registered La Palma voter and live in La Palma.

Getting Started

The following steps will give you an overview of how to get started on becoming a candidate for City Council. Contact City Clerk Kimberly Kenney via email or telephone (714-690-3334) to schedule an appointment to take out nomination papers. 

  1. Pick up Nomination Papers from the City Clerk’s Office during regular business hours starting July 13, 2020, through August 7, 2020.*
  2. Review the Fair and Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Campaign Disclosure Manual 2. This manual provides information on campaign disclosure rules and requirements under the Political Reform Act. 
  3. File FPPC Form 410 (Statement of Organization) with the California Secretary of State, which enables a candidate to open a campaign bank account. This account will allow the candidate to deposit funds into the campaign bank account before spending money on the campaign. Candidates who spend money out of pocket for campaign expenses are subject to fines.
  4. File FPPC Form 501 (Candidate Intention Statement) with the La Palma City Clerk, which must be filed before candidates can solicit or accept campaign contributions.

Nomination Period

*The nomination period is when individuals officially receive, circulate, and file nomination papers for candidacy. The nomination period for candidates opens at 8:00 a.m. on July 13, 2020, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2020. If an incumbent fails to submit nomination papers by this deadline, non-incumbent candidates will then have until 5:00 p.m. on August 12, 2020 to file nomination papers.

Additional information regarding the 2020 General Municipal Election and modifications made due to COVID-19 will be posted as more information becomes available.

Starting in 2024, the City of La Palma will move to a By-District Elections System. Click here for more information.

How to Run for City Council 2020