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HomeElections CodeDiv. 10Pt. 2Ch. 2Art. 2§ 10220 Municipal Candidate Nomination Rules

§ 10220 Municipal Candidate Nomination Rules

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 10220 Municipal Candidate Nomination Rules

This law tells how people can put forward candidates for city elections, including when they can do it, how many voter signatures are needed, and rules about the nomination papers.

Key Takeaways

  • •Nomination papers can only be filed between 113 and 88 days before the election.
  • •Cities with 1,000 or more voters need 20‑30 signatures per candidate; smaller cities need 5‑10 signatures.
  • •Only one candidate can be listed on a nomination paper and a voter can sign only one paper for the same office.
  • •If a voter signs multiple papers, only the first one filed counts; later signatures are ignored.
  • •Only one person may distribute each nomination paper, and the term being filled must be shown on the paper.

Example

In a town with 1,200 registered voters, a group wants to nominate Jane Doe for mayor.

They must start collecting signatures no earlier than 113 days and no later than 88 days before the election, get between 20 and 30 voters to sign Jane's nomination paper, make sure each paper only lists Jane, and have only one person hand‑out each paper. If a voter signs another paper for mayor, only the first paper they signed counts.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10220 Municipal Candidate Nomination Rules

Candidates may be nominated for any of the elective offices of the city in the following manner: Not earlier than the 113th day nor later than the 88th day before a municipal election during normal office hours, as posted, the voters may nominate candidates for election by signing a nomination paper. Each candidate shall be proposed by not less than 20 nor more than 30 voters in a city of 1,000 registered voters or more, and not less than five nor more than 10 voters in a city of less than 1,000 registered voters, but only one candidate may be named in any one nomination paper. No voter may sign more than one nomination paper for the same office, and in the event the voter does so, that voter’s signature shall count only on the first nomination paper filed which contains the voter’s signature. Nomination papers subsequently filed and containing that voter’s signature shall be considered as though that signature does not appear thereon. Each seat on the governing body is a separate office. Any person who meets the requirements of Section 102 may circulate a nomination paper. Only one person may circulate each nomination paper. Where there are full terms and short terms to be filled, the term shall be specified in the nomination paper. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 278, Sec. 25. (SB 213) Effective January 1, 2014.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

nomination papermunicipal electionregistered voters

Related Statutes

  • § 10226 Nomination Paper Requirements
  • § 10221 Nomination Paper Signatures
  • § 10222 Nomination Paper Affidavit Requirement
  • § 10223 Nomination Paper Requirements
  • § 10224.5 Municipal Election Nomination Notice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 10220.
View Official Source