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Candidate Information
Each of the Five Districts of the City of Lake Elsinore elects one Council Member to serve on the City Council and one City Treasurer at large. Council candidates are elected every two years, filling either two seats or three seats. The City Treasurer is elected every four years. There are no limits on the number of terms a person can serve in these positions.
Candidates for all positions must live within the boundaries of the City of Lake Elsinore, be at least 18 years old, and be registered to vote. Council Candidates must live in the District in which they are running.
During the official Nomination Period (mid-July to early August in even-numbered years; see Upcoming Elections for exact dates), individuals interested in running for City Council must contact the City Clerk’s Office to obtain nomination papers and schedule an appointment. Nomination papers cannot be issued outside of this period. The Nomination Period is the time during which a candidate needs to pull nomination papers, obtain the required signatures, and return all required paperwork, including the nomination papers, to the City Clerk's Office. Upon receipt of your appointment and information, the City Clerk will verify your eligibility. During the appointment, potential candidates obtain nomination papers and review the Candidate Guide with the City Clerk. Another appointment must be made to file the nomination papers. When the nomination papers are filed, the City Clerk will send the signatures to the County for verification. If all requirements are met, the City Clerk will qualify the filer as a candidate. After the close of Nominations and the qualifying of candidates is complete, the City Clerk will post the announcement of Qualified Candidates. To view information regarding the upcoming election, visit our Upcoming Elections webpage.
Please note: The nomination period may be extended for an additional 5 days if an incumbent fails to file.
Required Forms
| Forms | Directions |
|---|---|
| Form 501 - Candidate Intention Statement (PDF) | The original must be filed with the City Clerk's Department prior to raising any funds for a campaign. |
| Form 410 - Statement of Organization (PDF) | The original must be filed with the Secretary of State and a copy with the City Clerk's department, once a candidate has spent or raised $2,000. It may be filed in advance if the candidate is planning on spending or raising more than $2,000. |
| Form 470 - Officeholder-Candidate Campaign (PDF) | The original must be filed with the City Clerk's department if a candidate does not plan on raising or spending $2,000 or more. |
| Form 460 - Consolidated Campaign Disclosure (PDF) | The original must be filed with the City Clerk's department by 5 pm of the filing deadline, as determined on the elections calendar, and twice annually as long as the committee remains open. |
| Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interest (PDF) | The original must be filed with the City Clerk's department, along with the nomination papers. |
| California Fair Political Practices Commission website | There are several other forms required by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) when certain criteria are met. Please visit the California Fair Political Practices Commission website for information on all forms. |
Please be advised, these documents are public records and therefore, are releasable to any member of the public requesting them, in full form. Forms 410, 460, 470, and 700 will be posted on the City's website as well, with minor redactions occurring.
Candidates must abide by all State election laws and contribution requirements.