City of Saratoga Election

November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election

The next General Municipal Election will be held on November 8, 2022. The election will be held for the purpose of filling three City Council seats and submitting the following Ballot Measure regarding City Council term limits to the voters:

Shall the City of Saratoga adopt an ordinance establishing term limits for members of the Saratoga City Council, limiting individuals to serving two terms and specifying the duration of various types of partial terms that are considered a term for the purposes of term limits?

• 2022 Notice of Election (PDF)
• Notice of Nominees (PDF)
• Measure C Full Text

Qualified City Council Candidate List

About the City Council

• Council Members are elected at-large and serve a 4-year term.
• The Mayor and Vice Mayor are appointed every year in December by the City Council and serve for one year.
• Regular City Council Meetings are held on the first, and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Eligibility

To run for City Council, a candidate must be 18 years and older, a resident of Saratoga and registered to vote in the City of Saratoga.

Nomination Period

Every election begins with a “nomination period.” Nomination packets, consisting of information related to running for office and the required forms, are issued to potential candidates by the City Clerk during the nomination period.  

The nomination period for the November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election started on July 18, 2022 and closed on August 17 at 5:00 p.m. after being extended as required by State law, because at least one incumbent did not file prior to the original deadline of 5:00 p.m. on August 12. 

Nomination Papers

Official nomination papers will be included in the nomination packet. To qualify as a candidate, potential candidates must obtain the signature of at least 20, but no more than 30, registered voters in Saratoga. There is a $25 filing fee that is due when the nomination packet is returned to the City Clerk. 

Candidates have the option to include a Candidate Statement of Qualifications in the voter information materials produced by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. The cost for the Candidate Statement of Qualifications will be provided with the nomination packet and is the responsibility of the candidate.  

Campaign Disclosure Forms

Qualified candidates must complete and submit a Form 501 - Candidate Intention Statement, before soliciting and receiving any contributions for their candidacy. This form is filed with the City Clerk. 

The Form 410 - Statement of Organization must be submitted to the Secretary of State, along with a $50 fee, once a candidate receives contributions (including loans) that total $2,000 or more in a calendar year. A copy must be filed with the City Clerk. The Form 410 may be submitted before reaching the $2,000 threshold for qualifying as a committee. After the Secretary of State receives the Form 410 and payment for the Campaign Committee Fee, you can view the committee’s identification number online. 

During the campaign, contributions and expenditures must also be reported. The Form 470 - Officeholder and Candidate Campaign Statement is filed by those who do not receive contributions or expend funds totaling $2,000 or more during the calendar year. The Form 460 is filed electronically by committees to report expenditures and contributions in excess of $2,000. 

Candidates must also disclose their economic interests to qualify as a candidate. A Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interest is due when the nomination papers are submitted and is filed electronically. 

Use the City's online portal to view Campaign Finance Disclosure forms filed by candidates and committees since 2020. You can also view Campaign Disclosure documents filed prior to 2020.

Campaign Signs

• Please consult City of Saratoga City Code Section 15.30.060(e) to ensure campaign signs comply with City signage requirements. Candidates are encouraged to submit a Declaration of Intent to Install Temporary Non-Commercial Signs prior to installing campaign signage. You may also contact the Code Compliance Officer for more information.