City Clerk

Election Information

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Thank you for your interest in City of Fresno elections.  This page contains information regarding upcoming and past elections.  If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at [email protected].

ELECTED OFFICERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

The elective officers of the City of Fresno consist of seven Councilmembers and Mayor.[1]  Councilmembers are elected by district while the Mayor is elected at large.  Each elected officer serves a term of four years which begins the first Tuesday following the first Monday in January of the odd-numbered year following the election.[2]  No elected official may serve more than two successive terms without one full intervening term.[3]

ELECTION CYCLES

Elections occur every two years and are staggered so half of all elected officer positions are open each election cycle. Elections for odd numbered Council Districts (1, 3, 5, 7) occur during the same election cycle.  Elections for Mayor and even numbered Council Districts (Mayor, 2,4, 6) occur in the following election cycle. 

QUALIFICATIONS [4]

Candidates for any City of Fresno elected office must:

  • Be a resident of the City (for Mayoral candidates) or a resident of the Council District (for Councilmember candidates) for at least 30 days immediately preceding the filing of nomination papers for that District.
  • Be a registered voter.

The above qualifications only indicate a person meets the minimum requirements to run for office.  Additional steps must be completed before a person qualifies to appear on the ballot. 

UPCOMING ELECTIONS

  • June 2, 2026, Primary Election (Odd numbered Council Districts) Interested parties can review the candidate guide here and contact the Office of the City Clerk for additional information.
    • Council District 1
    • Council District 3
    • Council District 5
    • Council District 7
  • November 3, 2026 General Election (if needed for run-off from June 2, 2026)
  • 2028 (Mayor and even numbered Council Districts)
  • 2030 (Odd numbered Council Districts)
  • 2032 (Mayor and even numbered Council Districts)
  • 2034 (Odd numbered Council Districts)

GENERAL STEPS TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE

Running for office will require the timely filing of documents, signature gathering and visits to the Fresno City Clerk’s Office and the Fresno County Clerk / Registrar of Voters Office.  There are also numerous campaign finance reporting requirements during and after campaigns.  Due to the rigors of campaign finance reporting, it is strongly recommended, though not required, that candidates utilize the services of an experienced campaign treasurer.

The chart below indicates which steps are taken at which office.  The order in which the steps are generally taken (1-8) are also listed.   

Fresno City Clerk’s OfficeCounty Clerk / Registrar of Voters Office

1) File FPPC Form 501 (Candidate Intention Statement) and FPPC Form 410 (Statement of Organization) or FPPC Form 470 (Candidate Campaign Statement Short Form).  The original Form 410 is filed with the Secretary of State with a courtesy copy to the City Clerk.   

2) File documents necessary to verify residency. These documents may not be submitted until the County Clerk’s initial date for filing documents. Contact the Clerk for additional information.  

6) Electronically file FPPC Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest)  

7) Electronically file Redevelopment Agency disclosure.
3) Pay filing fee or obtain and return Signature – in Lieu of Filing Fee documents (optional to reduce or eliminate filing fees).  

4) File Declaration of Candidacy  

5) Obtain Nomination Petition and return the petition with the requisite number of valid signatures. 

8) Pay for and submit an optional Statement of Qualifications for printing in the county voter information guide.  

RESOURCES

FRESNO CITY CLERK
2600 Fresno Street – Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 621-7650

FRESNO COUNTY CLERK / REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
2221 Kern Street – Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 600-8683

FPPC ADVICE: [email protected]  1.866.275.3772
https://www.fppc.ca.gov/advice/get-advice.html

Questions about how to complete any FPPC forms should be handled by either utilizing FPPC advice resources at https://www.fppc.ca.gov/advice/get-advice.html, referencing FPPC Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 at https://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/campaign-rules/campaign-disclosuremanuals or consulting counsel. 

The information on this webpage is intended to provide general information about the nomination and election of candidates – it does not have the force and effect of law, regulation, or rule. It is not the intent of the City of Fresno to render legal advice. Accordingly, this webpage is not a substitute for legal counsel for the individual, organization or candidate using it. In case of any conflict, the law, regulation, or rule will apply.

[1] Section 300 of Article III of the Fresno City Charter

[2] Section 303 of Article III of the Fresno City Charter

[3] Section 303.1 of Article III of the Fresno City Charter

[4] Section 304 and 304.1 of Article III of the Fresno City Charter.