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 candidates and proposition sponsors to properly file and manage their election-related documentation. The City Clerk does not act as an arbiter, referee, or judge concerning disputes or issues related to any campaigns or the election itself.
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters is responsible for the operation of all elections in the County. The California Fair Political Practices Commission enforces the rules and regulations concerning the election of potential candidates.
General Municipal Elections are conducted every even-numbered year and are consolidated with the State General Election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.
RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL IN THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
NOMINATION FILING PERIOD: Monday, July 13, 2026 – Friday, August 7, 2026, 5:00 p.m.; (or Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 5:00 p.m. if extended)
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.
Council Offices Vacant
Three at-large seats will be elected on November 3, 2026, each for a four-year term.
The current seats open for the November 3, 2026 election are:
Sandra Maurer
Jill McLewis
Stephen Zollman
Filing Period & Appointments
Monday, July 13, 2026 (8:00 a.m.) – Friday, August 7, 2026 (5:00 p.m.)
Extended period (if incumbent does not file): August 10–12, 2026 (non-incumbents only).
**Why the Deadline Can Be Extended (California Elections Code § 10225)**
If no incumbent files nomination papers by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, state law automatically extends the nomination filing period by five days — until Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. — but only for non-incumbent candidates.
This rule protects voter choice and fairness. It prevents a situation where an incumbent decides not to run at the last minute and leaves the ballot without candidates. The extension gives challengers additional time to gather signatures and complete their paperwork once they know the incumbent is not seeking re-election. Incumbents cannot file during the extension period.
APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED
As you prepare to file the requisite nomination papers during the nomination period (July 13 – August 7, 2026), the City highly recommends you file as early as possible to ensure that your documents are complete and all signatures are valid and sufficient in number. Waiting until the end of the filing period could result in the inability to secure the required number of valid signatures for nomination, which would preclude you from running for office.
City Clerk’s Office hours are Monday – Thursday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and closed all Fridays. The only exception will be Friday, August 7, 2026, and the office will be available for appointments only and not open to the public. Candidates are required to make an appointment to receive nomination papers. An appointment to file nomination papers is also required.
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.
