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May 6, 2024
Thinking about running for Sunnyvale City Council in November 2024?
The following information is provided to assist you in meeting local, county and State regulations, if you decide to run for City Council. Please note that this guide is not all-encompassing and is not intended to be a sole source of election information.
2024 Candidate Guidelines
There are six members of the City Council elected by district; members are eligible to run for the district where they reside. The Mayor is elected at-large. There are four Council seats to be voted upon in the November 5, 2024 election: District 2, District 4 and District 6 along with the position of Mayor. Councilmembers elected in this election will serve a four-year term from January 7, 2025 to the first regular Council meeting in January 2029.
City Council ratifies the certification of the results at the first regular meeting in January following the November election.
Council selects the vice mayor annually.
Eligibility
Candidates must be registered to vote in Sunnyvale for at least 30 days before filing nomination papers. To be a registered voter in the City, one must reside in the City of Sunnyvale and be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older. Candidates for City Council Districts 2, 4 or 6 must reside in the respective District. To ensure this qualification is met, the City Clerk will verify voter registration status with the County of Santa Clara Elections Office before issuing nomination papers.
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) regulations. See FPPC Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 fo r additional
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 candidacy.
This Form must be filed in hardcopy with the Office of the City Clerk.
Form 410 Statement of Organization of Recipient Committee: Must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions. Note: Municipal elections are non-partisan.
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The City of Sunnyvale requires electronic filing of campaign statements. Contact the Office of the City Clerk to request a NetFile electronic campaign filing account to file campaign statements electronically. The City’s Campaign Statement Public Portal c ontains financial information provided by candidates and committees. Use the Campaign Statement Public Portal to research campaign contributions and expenditures, review campaign statements filed by candidates and committees, or examine a committee's filing history by election.
I
mportant Dates to Remember
July 15, 2024 to
Aug. 9, 2024
(E-113 to E-88)
Nomination period for the November 5, 2024 election
During the nomination period, nomination papers for Mayor and Council Districts 2, 4 & 6 are available at the Office of the City Clerk, Monday through Friday (except holidays), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 730-7483 to schedule an appointment.
The Office of the City Clerk will accept written requests for appointments in alternate formats as provided for by Elections Code section 8028.
Regardless of the method used to issue nomination paperwork, the original nomination paperwork, including original signatures, must be received by the Office of the City Clerk prior to the close of the nomination period.
Only one candidate may be named in any one set of nomination papers, and no person may file nomination papers for more than one position for the same election.
The City does not charge a filing fee for nomination papers.
The City Clerk files nomination papers with the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters (ROV).
July 31, 2024
(E-97)
FPPC Semi-Annual Statement Due
Deadline for semi-annual Fair Political Practices Commission financial disclosure report Form 460 covering the period Jan. 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 or the day after the closing date of the last statement filed before June 30, 2024.
Aug. 7, 2024 to
Nov. 5, 2024
(E-90 to E)
Contribution / Independent Expenditures
Sums of $1,000 or more to/from a single source must be reported within 24 hours. The Independent Expenditure report is required only for committees (not candidate controlled) that make independent expenditures totaling $1,000 or more to support or oppose a single ballot measure or a single candidate.
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May 6, 2024
Aug. 9, 2024
(E-88)
NOMINATION PERIOD CLOSES
Deadline to file all required nomination documents for all offices.
Aug. 10, 2024 to
Aug. 14, 2024
(E-87 to E-83)
Nomination Extension Period – if applicable
If an eligible incumbent fails to file a Declaration of Candidacy by 5 p.m. on August 9 for their office, there is a 5-calendar-day extension period during which any candidate, other than the incumbent, may file for said office.
Aug. 10, 2024 to
Aug. 19, 2024
(E-87 to E-78)
Examination Period for All Ballot Designations and Candidate Statements for Those Contests Not in Extension1
10-calendar day public examination period immediately following the filing deadline of candidate statements when the statements and ballot designations may be reviewed for potential legal action. During this 10-calendar day examination period, any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, or any candidate may take legal action to challenge the contents of the statement or the ballot designations.
Aug. 15, 2024 to
Aug. 26, 20242
(E-82 to E-71)
Examination Period for All Ballot Designations and Candidate Statements for Those Contests in Extension1
10-calendar day public examination period immediately following the filing deadline of candidate statements when the statements and ballot designations may be reviewed for potential legal action. During this 10-calendar day examination period, any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, or any candidate may take legal action to challenge the contents of the statement or the ballot designations.
Aug. 15, 2024
(E-82)
Randomized Alphabet Drawing
The Secretary of State will conduct a random drawing of letters of the alphabet to determine the order in which candidates appear on the ballot.
Sept. 9, 2024 to
Oct. 22, 2024
(E-57 to E-14)
Write-In Candidacy Opens and Closes
Filing period for write-in candidates to obtain and file nomination documents.
1 Refer to California Elections Code §§13313, and 13314 for details of public examination periods and writ of mandate
2 Date falls on a weekend or public holiday; deadlines move forward to the next business day.
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May 6, 2024
Sept. 26, 2024
(E-40)
FPPC 1st Pre-Election Statement Due
Deadline for Fair Political Practices Commission financial disclosure report Form 460, for campaign committees supporting or opposing local candidates or measures, covering July 1, 2024 through Sept. 21, 2024.
Oct. 7, 2024
(E-29)
First Day for Mailing of Vote-By-Mail Ballots
Last day for the Registrar of Voters to begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots.
Oct. 7, 2024 to
Nov. 5, 2024
(E-29 to E)
EARLY VOTING PERIOD AT THE ROV OFFICE
Early voting is available at the Registrar of Voters office f or individuals wishing to drop off ballot or vote in person, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning 29 days prior the election.
Oct. 21, 2024
(E-15)
Last Day to Register to Vote for the November Election
Deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 5, 2024 Election.
Oct. 24, 2024
(E-12)
FPPC 2nd Pre-Election Statement Due
Deadline for Fair Political Practices Commission financial disclosure report Form 460, for campaign committees supporting or opposing local candidates or measures covering the period of Sept. 22, 2024 through Oct. 19, 2024.
Oct. 26, 2024 to
Nov. 5, 2024
(E-10 to E)
Vote Centers Open 10 Days Before Election Day
Vote Centers ar e open to all registered voters in Santa Clara County. Any voter can go to any Vote Center location throughout the County. Hours vary by location.
Oct. 29, 2024
(E-7)
Last Day to Request Vote by Mail Ballot from ROV
Deadline at 5 p.m. to submit to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters a request for a Vote by Mail ballot to be mailed to you.
Nov. 5, 2024
(E)
Election Day
All Vote Centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 5, 2024
(E+30)
Official Canvass of Vote
Deadline for Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to certify election results.
Jan. 31, 2025
(E+87)
FPPC Semi-Annual Statement Due
Deadline for all committees to file a Form 460 covering the period Oct. 20, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024 unless the committee filed termination Forms 410 and 460 before Dec. 31, 2024.
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May 6, 2024
Additional Documents to be Filed During the Nomination Period
Ballot Designations
The candidate’s designation of occupation or identification to be printed on the ballot shall not exceed three words. There are additional requirements and prohibitions under Section 13107 of the Elections Code.
Campaign Contribution Limits
Campaign contributions are currently limited to $5,500 per contributor in aggregate as imposed by Assembly Bill 571.
Candidate Written Statements
This is optional. If you choose to submit a statement fo r publication in the voter information guide
sent to voters, the Office of the City Clerk will provide the appropriate form. Once filed, the statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, on or before the closing of the nomination period and until 5 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. There are additional requirements and prohibitions in preparing this statement under Section 13307 of the Elections Code.
There is an estimated cost associated with filing this statement. The County Registrar of Voters estimates the cost of publishing candidate statements at $3,900 for each candidate for the office of the Mayor, $2,900 for each candidate for District 2, $2,950 for each candidate for District 4 and $2,950 for each candidate for District 6, which includes the cost of ballot printing in five languages.
This cost is typically paid by each candidate who chooses to have their candidate statement published in the voter information pamphlet unless waived pursuant to Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 2.28.030. This section allows for the fee to be waived if the District Council candidate submits 100 valid signatures (250 signatures for Mayoral candidates) and is prorated if fewer valid signatures are submitted.
F
PPC Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)
The Political Reform Act under Government Code Section 87200 re quires officials and candidates for the elective offices specified in the Code to file Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests, at the time of filing nomination papers and periodically 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. Sunnyvale Muni
cipal Code Section 2.29.010 re quires electronic filing of Form 700s and other forms required by Government Code Sections 87200 an d 84100.
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May 6, 2024
Additional Regulations and Requirements
Mass Mailing Requirements
Government Code Section 84305 p ertaining to mass mailing of election literature will be provided to each candidate when they file their Declaration of Candidacy.
P
olitical Signs
Posting of political signs are regulated under the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 19.44.
Public Disclosure of Records
Nomination petitions and campaign statements are subject to public disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act. However, candidate statements are not subject to public disclosure until after the nomination period closes.
If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk at (408) 730-7483 or [email protected]
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