City of Pacific Grove Elections 

As the Elections Official, the City Clerk administers Federal, State, and Local procedures through which local government representatives are selected.  The City Clerk assists candidates in meeting their legal responsibilities before, during, and after an election.  From Election pre-planning to certification of election results and filing of final campaign disclosure documents, the City Clerk manages the process which forms the foundation of our democratic system of government.  This page includes general information regarding local elections and should not be construed as legal advice.  You may also visit the Monterey County Elections Department for general local elections information. Voter registration forms are available in the Office of the City Clerk, or by calling the Monterey County Registrar of Voters at 831.796.1499. The Fair Political Practices Comm. (FPPC) will provide information about campaign financing and spending, financial conflicts of interest, lobbyist registration and reporting for public officials, candidates, committee’s and post-governmental employees.  Campaign Finance Disclosure forms filed by candidates and committees can be found at this link.

Please visit the California Elections and Voter Information website for more information on Ballot Measures, Voter Registration, Elections Laws, and many other elections/voter resources.

Interested in Running for Office?The next General Municipal Election will be held November 5, 2024.  The Mayor and three City Council seats will be up for election.  If you are interested in running for one of these seats on the City Council, please contact the City Clerk for more information. 

Want to serve your community?  The following information has been prepared to assist and is provided for general reference only.  

2024 Election Candidates Handbook
Frequently Asked Questions

The election campaign process officially begins with the Candidate Nomination period July 15, 2024 8:00 a.m. through August 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Nomination and other papers are issued from the City Clerk by appointment only.  The hours of the City Clerk's office are Monday through Friday 8:00 - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Please allow for at least 30 minutes for review of papers and questions.

During this time, you will be required to gather nomination signatures from registered voters who "nominate" you to the elected office of your choice. Upon completion of the nomination paper, you may submit it, including your Candidate Intention Statement, Your Ballot Designation and a series of other procedural forms by appointment only.  Please file early so as to allow the Monterey County Elections Department time to qualify you for the election; ensuring all your signatures are valid.  

Prior to the nomination period, there is nothing that you can do to officially become a candidate.  However, that does not mean that you cannot tell members of the public your intentions or begin spending or collecting campaign contributions. Please note that before receiving contributions or making expenditures of your own, you MUST file a FPPC Form 501 with the City Clerk.

The FPPC has issued a Fast Facts Getting Started sheet of information for candidates spending $2,000 or more.
  
Candidates interested in running for local office in Pacific Grove, can find information in the FPPC's Manual 2 (for Local Candidates, Superior Court Judges, their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for Local Candidates).  The FPPC Filing Schedule provides important dates for candidates and committees.  For more information on these documents, you may contact FPPC directly at E-Mail Advice advice@fppc.ca.gov or 1-866-ASK-FPPC. 

As the City of Pacific Grove consolidates its elections with the Monterey County Elections Office, it follows the schedule outlined by the Registrar of Voters.  For ease of reference, a schedule has been modified specifically for Pacific Grove.