Mayor & Council Member Election
A Consolidated General Election will be held in the City of Atascadero on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the following offices:
- One (1) Mayor for a full term of two (2) years
- Two (2) Members of the City Council for full terms of four (4) years
These individuals are elected by, and from among, the registered voters of the City of Atascadero, to represent the interests of the City as a whole. Information about the Council's role and current members is available on the City’s website.
Nomination Period
The nomination period for these offices begins on July 15, 2024 and closes on August 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. If nomination papers for an incumbent officer of the City are not filed by August 9, 2024, the filing deadline will be extended to August 14, 2024. This extension is not applicable to incumbents.
The Atascadero City Clerk's Office is the receiving agency for nomination papers for City of Atascadero elected positions. Potential candidates, and citizens interested in more information about candidates, are encouraged to contact the City Clerk at (805) 470-3400 or by email cityclerk@atascadero.org for more information.
Resolutions & Notices
Resolution 2024-036 (calling for the election)
Ballot Measures
The City Council has adopted Resolution 2024-036, adding the following measures to the November 5, 2024 ballot.
Key Dates
- Call Election: June 11, 2024
- Last day to file arguments for and against tax measures: June 25, 2024
- Impartial analysis due: June 25, 2024
- 10-day public review period for tax measure arguments: June 26 to July 5, 2024
- Election Day (vote on these measures): November 5, 2024
More Information
Prospective Candidates
Residents interested in running for office are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office early for information about required paperwork and filing deadlines. An appointment to receive and file nomination papers during regular business hours is required.
In order for a candidate's name to appear on the ballot, the candidate must obtain election documents from the City Clerk's Office, and submit all required nomination paperwork, including a petition signed by other City voters, during the specified nomination period. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 470-3400 for more information.
Eligibility Requirements to Run for Office
- You must be a resident of the City of Atascadero.
- You must be a registered voter in the City of Atascadero.
Campaign Filing Requirements
Individuals who intend to run for office must file certain Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) forms with the City Clerk's Office before soliciting any campaign contributions or making any campaign expenditures.
File a Candidate Intention Statement FPPC Form 501. Prospective candidates can file their FPPC Form 501 anytime between now and the Nomination Period.
After filing FPPC Form 501, should a candidate begin to campaign and raise funds he/or she must also file an originally signed FPPC Form 410 with the Secretary of State (copy of the form to be submitted to the Clerk’s office) within 10 days of receiving $2,000.
Instructions for both forms are on the first page of each form. Please read the instructions carefully and thoroughly. Prospective candidates can mail their FPPC forms to City of Atascadero 6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 or contact the City Clerk at (805) 470-3400 to set up a time to drop the forms off at City Hall.
Resources
Campaign Signs
The Atascadero Municipal Code regulates when candidates may post campaign signs and when they must remove them under the regulations for temporary non-commercial signs.
Legal decisions in California concerning campaign signs have concluded that requiring a pre-election limitation on campaign signs violates the First Amendment. In essence, the courts are finding that such signs are an inexpensive and effective method for candidates, particularly unknown, non-incumbent candidates, to get out a message and establish name recognition. Placing a time limit on a sign, based on the sign’s content, is viewed as severely restricting such free speech, and this restriction outweighs the City’s aesthetic interests.
This reasoning also applies to the issue of a post-election removal period. A few courts have held that regulations requiring the removal of signs following an election are permissible. However, the City’s current regulations treat all temporary non-commercial signs equally, regardless of content, and place a 9-month restriction on the placement of signs and requires that signs must be removed a minimum of 90 days before any new non-commercial signage may be placed. While some California cities may still impose limits similar to our former requirements, many, like Atascadero, have repealed them.
As a result, Candidates may place their campaign signs when they wish. However, the City asks all candidates to be cautious about when campaign signs are placed, as many community members still feel strongly about not having elections signs placed for an extended period of time. The City also asks that Candidates please remove signs, at the earliest possible convenience, following the election as a courtesy to neighbors and community members.
If you become aware of any campaign sign violations, please call the candidate and/or campaign committee and report the violation. If the violation is not resolved in a timely manner, please contact the Atascadero City Clerk.
Signs in City Right-of-Way
Campaign signs are not permitted in City right-of-way or on City property. Signs placed in City right-of-way or on City property are subject to removal. An exception would be temporary signs during a specific event such as at the Lake Park.
The City encourages Candidates to make certain they have the appropriate permission before placing signs on private property (including the right of way/roadway in front of private property). If an illegal sign is placed in the City, the City will contact the Candidate with a seventy-two (72) hour notice to correct the violation. Failure to correct the violation will result in a citation.
Signs in Caltrans (State) Right-of-Way
Please contact CalTrans at (916) 654-6473 for information about its outdoor advertising program (for placement of signs within state highway right-of-way).
If you have concerns regarding signs in the CalTrans right-of-way, please submit a Customer Service Request directly to CalTrans using the following link: https://csr.dot.ca.gov/. You can also contact the local CalTrans office by calling (805) 434-1812.