Elections & Voting
The City Clerk is the City of Sebastopol office that assists in the holding of elections in the City. The City Clerk does not act in the capacity of assisting any candidate or proponent of a specific issue other than to assist candidates and proposition sponsors to properly file and manage their election-related documentation. The City Clerk does not act as an arbiter, referee, or judge concerning disputes or issues related to any campaigns or the election itself.
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters is responsible for the operation of all elections in the County. The California Fair Political Practices Commission enforces the rules and regulations concerning the election of potential candidates.
General Municipal Elections are conducted every even-numbered year and are consolidated with the State General Election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.
City Council
Diana Gardner Rich
Term expires December 2024
Stephen Zollman
Term expires December 2026
Neysa Hinton
Term expires December 2024
Sandra Maurer
Term expires December 2026
Jill McLewis
Term expires December 2026
November 2024 Election Campaign Statements
Form 460 Pre Election Hinton_Received 09.26.2024
Form 460 Pre Election Nethery_Received 09.26.2024
Form 460 Pre Election Yes on U_Received 09.26.2024
Form 470 Carter No Campaign_Received 09.25.2024
Form 497 1st Yes on U_Received 09.27.2024
Form 497 2nd Yes on U_Received 09.29.2024
Form 497 Hinton_Received 09.03.2024
Form 497 3rd Yes on U_Received 10.02.2024
Form 497 Amended Yes on U_Received 09.28.24
Notice of Extension of Nomination Period
- Nomination Period for non-incumbent candidates for seats in the City of Sebastopol City Council for the General Municipal Election on November 5, 2024 has been extended five days pursuant to Elections Code Section 10225. Read full Public Notice here.
Potential and Qualified Council Candidate Information List 2024
- As candidates are issued nomination documents, and as well at the time those documents are subsequently filed, the Candidate Information table will be populated with candidate data. Documents filed by candidates, including the Statement of Economic Interests Form 700, Biographical Form, and Code of Fair Campaign Practices are available for public review at the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours. Candidate Statements of Qualifications are available for public review for ten days following the close of the nomination period.
- See Candidate information table here.
Sebastopol Measure U Notice (1/2 Cent Sales Tax) for Nov. 5 2024 Ballot, with Arguments & Rebuttals
For more information and FAQs click HERE.
Candidate Eligibility
- A candidate must be a United States citizen
- 18 years old on or before the election day and and a citizen of the state (Government Code Section 1020)
- A registered voter living in the City of Sebastopol at the time nomination papers are issued (The City Clerk will verify voter registration with the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters.) Unless otherwise specifically provided, no person is eligible to be elected or appointed to an elective office unless that person is a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person as provided for in Section 10227 of the Elections Code.
- Conviction of Crimes
- A person is disqualified from holding any office upon conviction of designated crimes as specified in the Constitution and the laws of the State of California (Government Code Section 1021).
Candidate Fees
There are no City of Sebastopol filing fees, however, candidates who choose to have their “Candidate Statement of Qualifications” printed in the sample ballot issued by the County Registrar of Voters must bear the actual cost of printing and distribution. Candidates who opt for this printing are required to pay the fee when the nomination paper and forms are filed with the City of Sebastopol City Clerk.
Forms Required when Filing for Candidate Nomination
In accordance with State law, candidates are required to complete designated forms when filing for candidacy.
- Nomination Paper
- Ballot Designation Worksheet
- FPPC Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement (if not already filed)
- FPPC Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest
- Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications (optional)
- Code of Fair Campaign Practices Agreement (optional)
Nomination Paper with signatures of 20 City of Sebastopol registered voters (the City Clerk will verify the voter signatures on the nomination paper with the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters).
Please be aware that in accordance with State law, all documents are public record after the close of the nomination period; however, personal information on nomination petition will be redacted, i.e., addresses.
The nomination period to pull papers to run for any of the offices listed above in November 5, 2024 election opens on Monday, July 15, 2024, and continues through Friday August 9, 2024.
If an incumbent for any of the offices listed above does not file during the nomination period, the nomination period for that office is extended until August 14, 2024.
Fair Political Practices Commission
To run for elected office the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires that candidates provide financial disclosures. Please see FPPC website.
Campaign Contribution Limit
In 2019, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 571 (“AB 571”), which amends the Elections Code and Government Code to establish campaign contribution limits for elective city offices in a city in which the local government has not established a campaign contribution limit. Effective January 1, 2021, the State campaign contribution limit for candidates for city elective offices would be $4,700 per election, subject to certain exceptions, and is subject to adjustment every two years by the Fair Political Practices Commission based on changes in the consumer price index.
Sebastopol follows the State campaign contribution limit of $4,700 per election to be in effect in Sebastopol, as provided by Government Code Section 85301.
You Can Register to Vote in California if you are
- A U.S. Citizen
- A California Resident
- At least 18 years of age on or before the next election
- Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
- Not declared mentally incompetent by court action
Public Information: Becoming a candidate for public office means that information about you will become a matter of public record. With a few exceptions, this includes any and all documents submitted to the City during the course of the election. Consequently, these documents must, by law, be available to the public for inspection and/or copying.
Campaign Documents
Pursuant to Government Code Section § 84615 Campaign Reports and Statements – Electronic Filing for Local Agencies, the City of Sebastopol is pleased to offer Campaign Disclosure Statements available via the web, free of charge via eRetrieval™. You can access the City’s Campaign Statements electronically, 24/7, from the comfort of your desktop or mobile device!
