The Nomination Period

The Nomination Period for the 2026 General Election opens Monday, July 13, 2026, and closes Friday, August 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

Per Elections Code §10407, should the eligible incumbent(s) not file nomination papers for their seat by Friday, August 7th, the nomination period will be extended until Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 at 12:00 PM. During this extension period, no incumbent is allowed to file nomination papers. If not more candidates than the number of elective offices is nominated, appointment to the elective offices may be made as prescribed by Elections Code §10229. 

Appointment Process for Pulling/Filing of Nomination Papers 

The pulling and filing of nomination papers are done through two pre-scheduled appointments with the City Clerk:

1. To pull nomination papers. During this appointment, the City Clerk will confirm your eligibility and review the paperwork with you. This appointment will be in-person and last roughly one-hour.
2. To submit nomination papers. During this appointment, the City Clerk will review your nomination papers for accuracy and completion. This appointment will be in-person and last roughly a half-hour.

The City Clerk will begin accepting appointments on Monday, June 29.

• Appointments will be held at the City Clerk's Office located at City Hall at 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94533. 
• Appointments will be scheduled for a day and time during the open nomination period (July 13 - August 7)
• August 7 — Final Day of Nomination Period
  • August 7 is reserved for filing completed nomination papers. Appointments to obtain nomination papers will not be scheduled that day. Candidates should obtain papers in advance to allow sufficient time for completion, review, and any necessary corrections.
• Appointments will be conducted during the following posted hours of operation:

Tuesdays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesdays 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Thursdays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Fridays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

To schedule an appointment, call the City Clerk's Office at (925) 372-3512 or directly schedule through the City Clerk's booking page.

JUNE 29     The City Clerk will start accepting appointments for individuals interested in pulling nomination papers. 

JULY 13     Opening of the Nomination Period

•  Martinez Residents who are interested in running for office can schedule an appointment with the City Clerk to pull nomination papers.

AUGUST 7     Close of the Nomination Period

• City Clerk will confirm extension of the Nomination Period for any seats in which the incumbent did not file for re-election.
• List of nominees will be posted by close of business.
• 10-Day public review period of Candidate Statements

AUGUST 12     Close of the Extended Nomination Period if an incumbent did not file for re-election. 

AUGUST 13     Secretary of State Random draw for the order of Candidate names on the ballot.

AUGUST 17     End of 10-day public review period for Candidate Statements.

SEPTEMBER 7     Opening of Write-In Nomination Period

• Any person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have any votes cast for them reported must declare themselves a write-in candidate by filing a Statement of Write-In Candidacy.

OCTOBER 17     Notice of Nominees to be published.

OCTOBER 20     Close of Write-In Nomination Period

• The City Clerk will confirm receipt of any write-in nominations.

NOVEMBER 3     ELECTION DAY!

• All voting centers are open from 7AM to 8PM.

NOVEMBER 9     Election results to be published.

DECEMBER 9     Election Ceremony and City Council Re-Organization

Candidates must be registered to vote in Martinez for at least 30 days before filing nomination papers. To be a registered voter in the City, one must reside in the City of Martinez and be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older.

Candidates for Mayor must reside within City limits. Candidates for City Council Districts 1 and 4 must reside in the respective District. To ensure this qualification is met, the City Clerk will verify voter registration status with the Contra Costa County Elections Office before issuing nomination papers.

• Use this Interactive Map to check which district you reside in by entering in your address!

Candidates who intend to file nomination papers during the Nomination Period will be subject to filing obligations, pursuant to the Political Reform Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), Government Code, Elections Code and/or City Municipal Code. The City of Martinez requires electronic filing of campaign statements. The City Clerk's Office will assist candidates in creating a NetFile account so that they may file campaign statements electronically.

• Form 501: Candidate Intention Statement: Must be filed before soliciting or receiving any contributions, or before making expenditures on behalf of a candidacy. This Form must be filed in hardcopy with the City Clerk.

• Form 410: Statement of Organization of Recipient Committee: Must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions. Note: Municipal elections are non-partisan.

• Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests: The Political Reform Act under Government Code Section 87200 requires officials and candidates or the elective offices specified in the Code to file Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests, at the time of filing nomination papers and periodically to disclose certain investments, interests in real property, sources of income, gifts, loans and business positions. State law requires that an original form be filed with the City Clerk at the same time nomination papers are filed. Note: Martinez Municipal Code Section 2.88.010 requires electronic filing of Form 700s and other forms required by Government Code Sections 87200 and 84100.

• Campaign Contribution Limits: Campaign contributions are currently limited to $4,900 per contributor in aggregate as imposed by Assembly Bill 571.

• Candidate Written Statements (Optional): If you choose to submit a statement for publication in the voter information guide sent to voters, the City Clerk will provide the appropriate form. Once filed, the statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, on or before the closing of the nomination period and until 3 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. There are additional requirements and prohibitions in preparing this statement under Section 13307 of the Elections Code.

• Ballot Designations: The candidate’s designation of occupation or identification to be printed on the ballot shall not exceed three words. There are additional requirements and prohibitions under Section 13107 of the Elections Code.

A ceremony celebrating the City's Elected Officials is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

 Stay tuned for more information!

Upcoming and past election information is available on the Contra Costa County Election website: Elections – Contra Costa County

Below are links to various resources for Candidates, and general election information for the public: 

• Election 101: How to Run for Office and Presentation Materials

• How to Get Started Tutorial for Candidates and Treasurers (Video)

• Interactive District Map

• Contra Costa County Elections Division - As a candidate, you can purchase voter data and maps. For more information, please email data.map@vote.cccounty.us.

• Secretary of State - General Election

• Fair Political Practices Commission

  • FPPC Candidate Toolkit

  • FPPC Campaign Forms

  • Campaign Disclosure Handbook

  • When and Where to File Campaign Statements

  • FPPC Workshops and Webinars

  • FPPC Advice Line

• Netfile for City of Martinez

  • Netfile Training

• IRS - Employer Identification Number for Political Organization