Voter & Election Information

992 - City Council Candidate Requirements

Santa Monica's seven Council members are elected by the people to four-year terms in general municipal elections. The general municipal elections are held in even numbered years on the first Tuesday in November to fill expiring terms. The elected Council chooses by majority vote one of its members to be Mayor and one to be Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor presides over Council meetings and is the recognized head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes. The Mayor Pro Tem, in the absence of the Mayor, will perform the duties of the Mayor and will fill the vacancy of the Mayor, if it should occur, for the unexpired portion of the term.

To be eligible for a seat on City Council, an individual must be a registered voter in the City of Santa Monica by the filing deadline, which is established by state law. For more information regarding candidate requirements and filing deadlines for City Council, please visit www.smgov.net, or call the City Clerk's Office at (310) 458-8211, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on alternate Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours and on weekends, you may leave a message and your call will be returned on the next business day.