Election Information

"The right to vote...is the primary right
by which other rights are protected."
- Thomas Paine Founding Father

November 2, 2010 Election

The citizens of Cotati elected Mark Landman and Pat Gilardi to serve on its City Council at the Consolidated General Municipal election on November 2, 2010. The terms are for four years, from December 2010 to December 2014.

Election and Candidate Information

The next Consolidated General Municipal election in Cotati will take place on November 6, 2012. The Council seats currently held by Janet Orchard, John Dell'Osso and Susan Harvey will be on the ballot.

Eligibility

A person is eligible to run for Cotati City Council provided s/he is a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of the city of Cotati and a registered voter at the time nomination papers are issued by the Deputy City Clerk. If during his/her term of office the office holder changes residence to outside of the City or ceases to be an elector of the City, said office shall immediately become vacant.

What to do first

Anyone wishing to run for City Council should contact the Deputy City Clerk at ttaylor@ci.cotati.ca.us or 707-665-3622 to obtain a Statement of Intention (Form 501) before raising or spending money (including personal funds) on her/his campaign. This form must be filed with the Deputy City Clerk and is available to complete online at the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website: http://www.fppc.ca.gov/. The Statement of Intention may be filed anytime before or during the nomination period.

Nomination Period

The period for filing nomination papers for City Council is Monday July 16 to Friday August 10, 2012. If one of the incumbents does not file nomination papers by 5:00 p.m. on Friday August 10, 2012, the nomination period will be extended for non-incumbents only to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday August 15, 2012. Nomination papers are filed with the Deputy City Clerk.

Nomination papers are issued to City Council candidates by the Deputy City Clerk starting July 16, 2012. Contact the Deputy City Clerk at ttaylor@ci.cotati.ca.us or 707-665-3622 for an appointment.

Fair Campaign Practices

The City of Cotati has adopted Resolution 06-64 which encourages Candidates to use the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

The City of Cotati has adopted Campaign Reform Law which supplements the state of California’s Political Reform Act.

Additional Resources

Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters
League of Women Voters' "Smart Voter” non-partisan election information
California Secretary of State
California Law