Elections
Elections
The City Clerk conducts all regular and special elections and is the City’s Election Official. As the Elections Official, the City Clerk is the point of contact for all things elections-related, including but not limited to: candidates, citizen initiative petitions, measures, and campaign financial filings. The City consolidates elections with the County of Monterey.
Elections for City Council positions are held in November of even-numbered years. Council Members and the Mayor are elected at-large and serve staggering terms. The Mayor’s term is 2 years, and Councilmember terms are 4 years.
2026 General Municipal Election – November 3, 2026
The next General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect:
- One Mayor, for a term of 2 years
- Two Councilmembers, for a term of 4 years
There are also two ballot measures for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
2026 Election Updates by Email
Subscribe to the City Clerk’s Election and Candidacy Information email list.
Important Dates
- July 13 – August 7, 2026 – Nomination Period
- July 31, 2026 – Semi-Annual Form 460 Due (for period 1-1-2026 – 6-30-2026), if applicable
- September 7 – October 20, 2026 – Write-In Candidacy Period
- September 24, 2026 - 1st Pre-Election 460 Campaign Statement Due
- October 5, 2026 - Mailing of Vote by Mail Ballots
- October 19, 2026 – Last day to Register to Vote for the November Election
- October 22, 2026 - 2nd Pre-Election Campaign Statement Due
- November 3, 2026 – Election Day
- December 3, 2026 - Official Canvass of Vote (Certification of Election Results)
Public Notices
Notice of Election on November 3, 2026 - Officers and Ballot Measures
Notice to Voters of Date After Which No Arguments May Be Submitted to the City Clerk
Resolutions
Resolution 2026-040 - Calling for the Election on November 3, 2026
Resolution 2026-041 - Adopting Candidate Statement Regulations
Resolution 2026-042 - Ordering Submission of Ballot Measure for TOT increase to the Voters 11-3-2026
Interested in Running for Office?
For residents interested in running for Mayor or City Councilmember, here are some brief details:
- To be eligible to run for City Council, a candidate must be
18 years and older, a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and
registered to vote in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the time Nomination
Papers are issued for candidacy.
- Check your voter registration status here: https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/
- An individual must file a Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501) with the City Clerk before receiving or spending even $0.01 (one cent) on their candidacy.
- The nomination period starts July 13, 2026, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026. During the nomination period the City Clerk will formally issue interested individuals their nomination paperwork by appointment only. Prospective candidates must obtain the nominating signatures of 20-30 voters who reside in and are registered vote in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and submit all paperwork to the City Clerk before the deadline of August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. If an incumbent does not file qualifying nomination papers for their seat during this time, the nomination period for that seat will be extended by five days.
- To make an appointment to be issued and to file nomination paperwork during the nomination period, or with any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@ci.carmel.ca.us, or 831-620-2016.
Running for Office
Eligibility
To be eligible to run for City Council, a candidate must be 18 years and older, a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and registered to vote in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the time Nomination Papers are issued for candidacy.
Filing/Nomination Period
The filing period for nomination papers for the November 3, 2026, election is July 13, 2026, and through August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Note: The nomination period may be extended for 5 days offices for which no eligible incumbent files nomination papers.
Nomination Papers
Nomination documents are issued by appointment with the City Clerk during the filing period listed above. To make an appointment to receive and file nomination papers, please contact Nova Romero, City Clerk, at cityclerk@ci.carmel.ca.us or call 831-620-2016.
Each candidate is required to receive not less than twenty (20) and no more than thirty (30) valid signatures. Signers must be registered voters of Carmel-by-the-Sea. If the signer is ineligible, the signature will not be counted. Signers must sign and print their name and physical address clearly (no P.O. boxes or “ditto” marks). If the nomination paper is found to be insufficient, a supplemental paper may be issued to the candidate and shall be filed by the above deadline date.
Declaration of Candidacy and Oath of Allegiance
The Declaration of Candidacy is an official document in which the candidate indicates how his or her name and ballot designation is to appear on the ballot and declares if elected, will accept the nomination. It is to be completed and filed at the time all other nomination papers are filed.
Ballot Designation Worksheet
The ballot designation describes the current profession, vocation, occupation, or incumbency status of the candidate that will appear on the ballot under the candidate’s name.
Ballot designations:
- Can be no more than three words
- Must appear on the Declaration of Candidacy Form
- Becomes public record once the information is filed on the Declaration of Candidacy; ballot designations cannot be changed after the final date to file nomination documents.
Candidate Statement with Payment (Optional)
Candidates may prepare a 200-word Candidate Statement to be printed and mailed to voters in the Official Sample Ballot Booklet. Content of the statement shall be limited to a discussion of the name, age, occupation, education and qualifications of the candidate. Candidate Statements will be translated into Spanish as required by the County of Monterey. The cost for the Candidate Statement of Qualifications will be provided with the nomination packet and is the responsibility of the candidate. A printed copy and electronic copy of the statement are due at the time of filing nomination papers and may be withdrawn but not changed once filed.
Code of Fair Campaign Practices Form (Optional)
At the time an individual is issued his or her nomination paper, the elections official shall give the individual a blank form of the Code of Fair Campaign Practices and a copy of Government Code Section 20440-20444. The elections official shall inform each candidate for public office that subscription to the code is voluntary.
Form 700 Statement of Economic Interest
Form 700 must be completed by all candidates and e-filed directly with the FPPC. Form 700’s are public records and posted online. The form discloses certain financial interests including investments, interests in real property, income and gifts. Information related to filing Form 700, as well as an electronic version of the form can be found at the Fair Political Practices Commission website.
Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement
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. This original signed form is filed with the City. This form is due at the time of filing your nomination papers, or may be filed earlier if necessary.
Campaign Disclosure Forms
The Political Reform Act requires candidates and committees to file other campaign statements by specified deadlines disclosing contributions received and expenditures made. These documents are public and may be audited by the FPPC and FTB to ensure that voters are fully informed and improper practices are prohibited. It is the responsibility of candidates and committees to understand the rules regulating their campaigns in California.
2026 Election Candidate Resources
California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Manual 2 –
Local Candidates Campaign Disclosure Manual
FPPC Candidate’s Toolkit – Getting Started
FPPC Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement - Form
FPPC Form 700 –
Statement of Economic Interests – Information
FPPC Form 410 – Statement of Organization – Form
FPPC
Tutorial for Candidate and Treasurer Video –
Slides
California Secretary
of State
Cal-Access (Campaign
Committee search)
Monterey County Elections Department
Campaign Finance Disclosure Forms
The Public Portal for Campaign Financial Disclosure provides access to campaign finance forms filed by City of Carmel-by-the-Sea candidates and committees. (Gov. Code 84616) Search by date filed for all filers, or view by election and seat for qualified candidates only.