Elections and Voting
The City Clerk is the City of Sebastopol office that assists in the holding of elections in the City. The City Clerk does not act in the capacity of assisting any candidate or proponent of a specific issue other than to assist candi
The City Clerk serves as the City of Sebastopol’s local elections official and is the primary contact for candidates seeking City elective office. The City Clerk provides information and assistance with nomination procedures, campaign disclosure requirements, and other election-related filings. The City Clerk’s Office administers these responsibilities impartially and does not advise or advocate for any candidate, campaign, or ballot measure.
Sebastopol’s General Municipal Election is held in November of each even-numbered year and is consolidated with the statewide General Election. The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters conducts the consolidated election, including voter registration, vote-by-mail and polling services, ballot tabulation, and election results. The California Fair Political Practices Commission administers and enforces the state’s campaign finance and disclosure laws.
NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
FINAL LIST OF QUALIFIED CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FOR NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION (THREE OPEN SEATS)
(listed in the order they will appear on the ballot) (contact information provided by candidates)
Ian Hoff
Website: https://ianhoff.com
James Woodruff
Email: jameswoodruff4sebcouncil@gmail.com
Website: https://electjameswoodruff.com
Kyreen Jorgensen
Email: info@kyreenforsebastopol.com
Website: https://kyreenforsebastopol.com
Brandie L. Solovay
Email: brandie@votebrandie.com
Phone: 707-335-9895
Website: https://votebrandie.com/
Jill McLewis
Email: JillMforcouncil@gmail.com
Phone: 707-340-3727
Website: Jill4sebastopol.com
Sandra Maurer
Email: sandimaurer@sonic.net
https://www.sandimaurer.com/
Erin Mitchell
PO Box 872
Website: https://erinforsebastopol.com
Candidate Eligibility
To be eligible to run for Sebastopol City Council, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a registered voter in the City of Sebastopol at the time nomination papers are issued
- Not be disqualified from holding office under the California Constitution or laws
You must remain a registered voter in the City throughout your term if elected.
City Council
Stephen Zollman
Term expires December 2026
Jill McLewis
Term expires December 2026
Phill Carter
Term expires December 2028
Neysa Hinton
Term expires December 2028
Sandra Maurer
Term expires December 2026
November 2026 Election Campaign Statements
Extension of Nomination Period
- Nomination Period for non-incumbent candidates for seats in the City of Sebastopol City Council for the General Municipal Election can be extended for five days pursuant to Elections Code Section 10225. That is if one or more incumbents do not seek re election.
Potential and Qualified Council Candidate Information List 2024
- As candidates are issued nomination documents, and as well at the time those documents are subsequently filed, the Candidate Information table will be populated with candidate data. Documents filed by candidates, including the Statement of Economic Interests Form 700, Biographical Form, and Code of Fair Campaign Practices are available for public review at the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours. Candidate Statements of Qualifications are available for public review for ten days following the close of the nomination period.
- See Candidate information table here.
Candidate Eligibility
- A candidate must be a United States citizen
- 18 years old on or before the election day and a citizen of the state (Government Code Section 1020)
- A registered voter living in the City of Sebastopol at the time nomination papers are issued (The City Clerk will verify voter registration with the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters.) Unless otherwise specifically provided, no person is eligible to be elected or appointed to an elective office unless that person is a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person as provided for in Section 10227 of the Elections Code.
- A person is disqualified from holding any office upon conviction of designated crimes as specified in the Constitution and the laws of the State of California (Government Code Section 1021).
Candidate Fees
There are no City of Sebastopol filing fees, however, candidates who choose to have their “Candidate Statement of Qualifications” printed in the sample ballot issued by the County Registrar of Voters must bear the actual cost of printing and distribution. Candidates who opt for this printing are required to pay the fee when the nomination paper and forms are filed with the City of Sebastopol City Clerk.
Forms Required when Filing for Candidate Nomination
In accordance with State law, candidates are required to complete designated forms when filing for candidacy.
- Nomination Paper
- Ballot Designation Worksheet
- FPPC Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement (if not already filed)
- FPPC Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest
- Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications (optional)
- Code of Fair Campaign Practices Agreement (optional)
Nomination Paper with signatures of 20 City of Sebastopol registered voters (the City Clerk will verify the voter signatures on the nomination paper with the County of Sonoma Registrar of Voters).
Please be aware that in accordance with State law, all documents are public record after the close of the nomination period; however, personal information on nomination petition will be redacted, i.e., addresses.
Nomination Period: July 13, 2026 – August 7, 2026
Nomination Extension Period (If Applicable)
August 8, 2026 – August 12, 2026
Fair Political Practices Commission
To run for elected office the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires that candidates provide financial disclosures. Please see FPPC website.
Campaign Contribution Limit
In 2019, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 571 (“AB 571”), which amends the Elections Code and Government Code to establish campaign contribution limits for elective city offices in a city in which the local government has not established a campaign contribution limit. The State contribution limit is periodically adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Pursuant to AB 571 and Government Code Section 85031, Sebastopol follows the State campaign contribution limit of $5,900 per election for elections held between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026.
You Can Register to Vote in California if you are
- A U.S. Citizen
- A California Resident
- At least 18 years of age on or before the next election
- Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
- Not declared mentally incompetent by court action
Public Information: Becoming a candidate for public office means that information about you will become a matter of public record. With a few exceptions, this includes any and all documents submitted to the City during the course of the election. Consequently, these documents must, by law, be available to the public for inspection and/or copying.
