Candidate Resources

Districts up for Election in 2024
District 1, 3, and 4 will be up for election in 2024.

Nomination Period
The nomination period for the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election will open Monday, July 15 at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 9.* If you are interested in running for City Councilmember District 1, 3, or 4, please schedule an appointment with the City Clerk's Office to obtain a nomination packet. The City Clerk's Office may be reached at [email protected] or 707-588-2227.

*If an incumbent does not file nomination papers, the nomination period is extended to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14.


Candidate Guide
Please click here for the 2024 Candidate Information Guide. 

The Candidate Information Guide should assist in explaining various rules and regulations, however, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. No one should rely solely on this Guide. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk; however, the City Clerk is precluded by law from providing legal advice. Legal questions should be directed to private legal counsel.

Useful Links:

Campaign Sign Guidelines

Campaign Signs Areas Map


Campaign Finance Regulations 

Per Rohnert Park Municipal Code Section 2.65  No person shall make to any candidate or candidate-controlled committee, and no such candidate or candidate-controlled committee shall accept from any person, a contribution or contributions totaling more than five hundred dollars in an elective city office election cycle.  For complete information on this subject, please click here.

Resources
Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC)
The Fair Political Practices Commission is a non-partisan commission that has primary responsibility for the impartial effective administration of the Political Reform Act.

The Act regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbing, and governmental ethics. The Commission’s objectives are to ensure that public officials act in a fair and unbiased manner in the governmental decision-making process, to promote transparency in government, and to foster public trust in the political system.

In order to comply with FPPC regulations, several forms will be required of Nominees, these forms are public documents and public access must be provided.

Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement – Candidates must file the Form 501 before soliciting or receiving any contributions or before making expenditures from personal funds on behalf of their candidacy.

Form 700 Statement of Economic Interest – The Political Reform Act requires most state and local government officials and employees to publicly disclose their personal assets and income. They also must disqualify themselves from participating in decisions that may affect their personal economic interest.

Form 410 Statement of Organization – Candidates must file this form within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions.

Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – 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 election to office or holding office.

Form 470 Officeholder and Candidate Campaign Statement, short form – A candidate who does not have a controlled committee; does not anticipate receiving contributions or does not anticipate spending totaling $2,000 or more during a calendar year.

Secretary of State
The Secretary of State’s office is dedicated to making government more transparent and accessible in the areas of elections, business, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures.

The Secretary of State responsibilities include:

  • Serving as the state’s Chief Elections Officer
  • Serves as a filing officer for Forms 410 Statement of Organization

The contents of this web page and any legal interpretations contained herein are not to be relied upon  either as being correct factually or as legal opinion. Reliance on the content without prior submission to and approval of your appropriate legal counsel is at the reader's risk.