How to Run for Office

The next Mill Valley election will be held in 2024, where the City of Mill Valley voters will elect three members to the City Council for 4-year terms.

ELIGIBILITY:

You must be a Mill Valley resident, 18 years old or older, and a registered voter within the City limits of Mill Valley (LINK) at the time nomination papers are issued to be eligible to run for office. You can register or confirm that you are registered by contacting the Marin County Elections Office: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv

NOMINATION PERIOD:

The City of Mill Valley is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment that is welcoming to all who participate in municipal government. The City seeks diverse representation - candidates from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to pull and file Nomination Papers. Please contact the City Clerk's office (see "Contact Us" column) to schedule an appointment to obtain and file nomination papers.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE:

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment to Receive a Candidate Application, Nomination Paper, and Other Election Information/Materials.

Candidates for City Council must be 18 years of age or older and a registered voter in the City of Mill Valley. Please get in touch with the City of Mill Valley’s office of the City Clerk to schedule an appointment to receive the following materials: Candidate Application, Nomination Paper, Ballot Designation Worksheet, Candidate Statement Information Sheet, the Form 501 (see below), the Form 700 (see below), the Code of Fair Campaign Practices, and other helpful election-related materials. The appointment will take approximately one hour. Please call the City Clerk's Office at (415) 384-4880 or email hpolitzer@cityofmillvalley.org to schedule an appointment. 

Step 2: Declaring Candidacy.

Candidates who intend to raise or spend campaign funds must file Form 501 (Candidate Intention Statement - see more information below) before solicitation or receipt of any contribution or expenditure of any personal funds used for the election (including loans). This form is filed with the Mill Valley City Clerk. This document and other elections-related forms and information will be provided in the Council Candidate Binder that candidates will receive during their appointment with the City Clerk.

Step 3: Financial and Campaign Disclosure Obligations.

The FPPC mandates the campaign filing requirements for local candidates. The City Clerk serves as the filing officer for local campaign disclosure statements. Candidates must disclose certain economic interests and file periodic campaign reports. Failure to file appropriate statements and reports can result in criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. Failure to file within prescribed deadlines can also lead to monetary filing penalties for each day a statement is late. The appropriate forms will be provided in the Council Candidate Binder that candidates will receive during their appointment with the City Clerk and are also available on the FPPC's website.

Step 4. Schedule an Appointment to file your Candidate Application, Nomination Paper,  and other Election Information/Materials.

In order to become an official candidate for office, prospective candidates must file all the required election materials with the City Clerk by the Nomination Period deadline. Please get in touch with the City of Mill Valley’s office of the City Clerk to schedule an appointment to file the Candidate Application, Nomination Paper, and other election information/materials. The appointment will take approximately 30 minutes. You may also call the City Clerk's Office at (415) 384-4880 or email hpolitzer@cityofmillvalley.org to schedule an appointment. At the time a prospective candidate files their election materials with the City Clerk, the City Clerk will then verify all the information provided with the County of Marin's Election Department. If all information and materials received are verified/approved by the County of Marin, then the prospective candidate becomes an official candidate for election to the Mill Valley City Council.

ADDITIONAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE INFORMATION:

The FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission) mandates the campaign filing requirements for local candidates. The City Clerk serves as the filing officer for local campaign disclosure statements. Candidates are required to disclose certain economic interests and must file periodic campaign reports. Failure to file appropriate statements and reports can result in criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. Failure to file within prescribed deadlines can also lead to monetary penalties for each day a statement is late. The appropriate forms may be obtained from either the City Clerk’s Office or the FPPC website.

  • Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
    • A candidate for local office must file this form prior to solicitation or receipt of any contribution or expenditure of any personal funds used for the election. The form is filed with the City Clerk. Form 501 (PDF)
  • Statement of Organization Recipient Committee (Form 410)
    • A candidate that raises contributions from others totaling $2,000 or more during a calendar year must file an original Form 410 with the Secretary of State to disclose campaign bank account information and to receive a campaign committee identification number. A copy of the form is filed with the City Clerk. Form 410 (PDF)
  • Recipient Committee Campaign Statement (Form 460)
    • A candidate who has a controlled committee, or who has raised or spent or will raise or spend $2,000 or more during a calendar year in connection with an election to office, will be required to file this form periodically prior to and following the election. Form 460 (PDF)
  • Campaign Statement – Short Form (Form 470)
    • Candidates who do not intend to raise or spend $2,000 in a calendar year in conjunction with their candidacy will file a Form 470 with the City Clerk. Form 470 (PDF)
  • Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)
    • Candidates are required to file a Form 700 disclosing all reportable investments, interests in real property, and income. Please be aware that all statements, and information submitted in conjunction with the statements, are a matter of public record and available for review by any requester. Form 700 (PDF)
  • The Political Reform Act, in part, provides that:
    • Receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and improper practices may be inhibited. (Gov. Code §81002(a))
    • Assets and income of public officials that may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed, and in appropriate circumstances, the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided. (Gov. Code §81002(c))

REGISTER TO VOTE:

Please visit the Marin County Elections website for more information: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv. Hard copies of the voter registration form are available at City Hall.

ADDITIONAL CANDIDATE RESOURCES: