Candidate Nomination Period Begins July 13 and Signature Requirement is Reduced in Response to COVID-19
July 8, 2020 3:30 PM
NOTE: This press release was updated on July 10 with a further reduction in the number of required signatures from 60 to 30 under a revised 21st supplement.
Santa Monica’s election season begins next week with the opening of the candidate nomination period: Monday, July 13 through Friday, August 7. The open seats for elected office are:
- City Council: four full-term and one partial-term seats
- Rent Control Board: two seats
- Santa Monica College District Board: three seats
- Santa Monica-Malibu School District Board: three seats
The California Secretary of State and Los Angeles County election officials have advised that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they must continue to require that nominating papers contain original signatures and they cannot accept electronic signatures. Santa Monica’s municipal code requires candidates to gather no less than 100 voter signatures as part of their nomination. Under a second revised twenty-first supplement to Santa Monica’s local emergency declaration, candidates will have to gather a reduced number of 30 original signatures. This reduces the original signature requirement in light of the risks posed by personal contacts in the COVID-19 environment.
Additionally, the City is waiving the $1 fee for additional sets of nominating papers after the first two. Providing candidates with additional sets of nominating papers at no charge is intended to enable candidates to gather fewer nominating signatures on any one set of nominating papers, thus reducing the likelihood that larger groups of nominating voters will be required to get together to sign.
Whether you are a candidate collecting signatures or a Santa Monica voter signing on to support a candidate, please be sure to take necessary COVID-19 prevention measures. Stay at home when experiencing any cold-like symptoms; wear a face covering; wash your hands frequently; properly sanitize surfaces, including pens and clipboards; and maintain six feet of physical distance whenever possible. All social gatherings outside of one’s household remain prohibited by the LA County Health Officer Order. Please use virtual social gatherings or campaign events in lieu of in-person gatherings.
Interested candidates are invited to attend an online candidate workshop on Monday, July 13 at 10 a.m. at https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/udukvaju to learn about the nomination process, and make an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office to pick up forms. Completed forms must be filed by Friday, August 7 at 5 p.m.
Visit smvote.org for election information.
Revised Twenty-first supplement >
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov