Elections ~ City of Oakland, California

Elections and Compliance

The Elections and Compliance Unit of the Office of the City Clerk is responsible for conducting and supervising municipal elections. We provide helpful information regarding elections and compliance.

We also provide nomination packets and general guidelines to candidates interested in elective office. Candidates are strongly recommended to familiarize themselves with all applicable provisions of Oakland's City Charter, Oakland's Campaign Reform Act (OCRA), the Municipal Elections Code and the Political Reform Act of 1974. The Office of the City Clerk does not advise on the mechanics of campaigning or campaign strategy as those are matters for the candidates and their staff. We are happy to answer all questions within our purview however.

Voter Resources

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Campaign Disclosure Reports

To view campaign statements, visit the Campaign Filing Portal.

To file a campaign statement visit the Filer Access Portal.

State law requires elected officials, candidates for elective office, and committees supporting or opposing local candidates or ballot measures file campaign disclosure statements with the Office of the City Clerk. Statements are filed according to the FPPC's filing schedule and provide the public with details on who contributes money to a committee, and how that money is spent. Disclosure requirements can be complex and those involved with campaign committees are advised to become fully aware of all requirements for campaign reporting.

The City of Oakland recently adopted legislation that requires all candidates for elective office, and committees supporting or opposing local candidates or ballot measures, to file their statements electronically. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk regarding training on the electronic filing system. Candidates and committees will need a user ID and password in order to electronically file documents. Additionally, all committees will need to have a signed signature verification card on file with the Office of the City Clerk.

HOW TO FILE - You must have a user ID and password to access the NetFile system. Additionally, all committees must have a signature verification card on file with the Office of the City Clerk in order to file statements. Signature verification cards must be signed by the candidate or principal officer and the treasurer. Click here for instructions on how to obtain your user ID and password as well as information on submitting your signature verification card.

WHAT TO FILE - Typical forms include Statement of Intention Form 501; Statement of Organization Form 410; Semi-Annual Campaign Disclosure Statement Form 460; Pre-Election Campaign Disclosure Form 460; Pre- and Post- City Supplemental Campaign Disclosure Statement Form 460; Quarterly Measure Campaign Disclosure Statement Form 460; Supplemental Independent Expenditure Report Form 465 (Measure or Independent Expenditure Committees); Late Independent Expenditure Report Form 496; or Late Contribution Report Form 497

For a comprehensive list of disclosure forms including instruction manuals, visit the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website at www.fppc.ca.gov.

WHEN TO FILE - There are various filing deadlines depending on the type of committee, and whether or not that committee is involved in an active election. All deadlines for filers within the of Oakland can be found on the FPPC's filing schedule.

WHERE TO FILE - Elected officials, candidates and committees who are required to file campaign statements must file their campaign statements with the Office of the City Clerk. The City of Oakland also provides, a free, web-based electronic campaign disclosure statement filing system. The system is fully searchable for use by the public. This ensures the highest level of transparency and accountability so that voters and members of the public can be fully informed. Elected officials, candidates, and committees who are required by to file campaign disclosure statements with the City of Oakland may do so through this system.

For further details and instructions on filing, please view the FPPC Manual - When and Where to File.

Free FPPC Trainings Offered!

Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) Filing Portal

Public officials and designated employees must file Statements of Economic Interest. Public officials are specified in Government Code Section 87200. They include Mayors, Councilmembers, City Attorneys, City Managers, Planning Commissioners, and persons who manage public investments. Additionally, candidates for elected positions are required to file a Candidate statement. Designated employees and certain consultants who hold positions that involve making or participating in the making of decisions, which may foreseeably have a material effect on the holder’s financial interests also must file. Such positions are listed in the City’s conflict of interest code; people in these positions must file Statements of Economic Interests – Form 700 pursuant to the disclosure categories specified in that code.

November 4, 2014 Election Information

THE NOMINATIONS PERIOD FOR THE NOVEMBER 4, 2014 ELECTION OPENS ON MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014 AND EXTENDS UNTIL *FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2014. CANDIDATES MAY OBTAIN CANDIDATE PACKETS ONLY BY SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK. EMAIL ELECTIONSERVICES@OAKLANDNET.COM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO PICK UP YOUR MATERIALS.

2014 Expenditure Ceilings

Timeline for Council Submission/Approval of Measures

Argument and Rebuttal Submission Information

2014 Filing Schedule

OCRA FORM 301

2014 General Election Information

FPPC Offers FREE Webinar for Candidates and Treasurers

Final List of Qualified Candidates

Candidate Information for Elected Offices

The City Council of the City of Oakland consists of: a Councilmember At-Large elected by all the voters of the City and seven (7) District Councilmembers elected to represent seven (7) separate Council Districts in the city. District Councilmembers must reside in the District that they represent.

The Board of Education consists of: seven (7) School Directors who are elected by the voters of the district they represent and must reside within that district.

The Mayor, City Attorney, City Auditor, Councilmembers and School Directors are elected positions and serve four (4) year staggered terms. Municipal Elections are held in even-numbered years bi-annually. The Mayor, City Auditor, Councilmembers and School Directors representing Districts 2, 4 and 6 are elected together. Councilmembers and School Directors representing Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, Councilmember At-Large and City Attorney are elected together. Members of the Board of Education are city officers and are elected at the same time and in the same manner as other city offices. The Board of Education consists of seven (7) members representing the seven (7) school districts.

The Nomination Period opens 113 days before an election and closes 88 days before the election. During the nomination period, those persons interested in running for elected office may pick up a Candidate Nomination Packet. A representative of the candidate may obtain a Candidate Nomination Packet with written authorization from the candidate. The Candidate must appear personally to file nominations papers however.

Those running for district offices must be a registered voter and resident of the district for which they seek nomination for at least thirty (30) days prior to the date nomination petitions are issued. For City-wide office, a candidate must be a registered voter of the city and a resident for at least thirty (30) days prior to the date the nomination papers are issued. Elector and resident status must be maintained during the term of office.

Below are sample nomination documents. These documents are for informational purposes only. Actual nomination documents can be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk during the nominations period.

Citizen Based Initiatives and Referendums

The petition process empowers voters to propose, amend or repeal City Ordinances and the Charter of the City of Oakland. A successful petition places the issue in question before a vote of the people. The rules governing the petition process are set forth in the Oakland Municipal Code, as well as applicable provisions of the California Election Code (CEC) and the California Government Code.

Petitions require considerable planning to ensure all steps are completed according to the legal requirements of the California Elections Code as well as Oakland’s Municipal and City Charter. The general process requires completion of numerous essential tasks including: development of the proposed ordinance, posting notice of intent to circulate a petition, filing a notice of intent, preparation of petitions, gathering of petition signatures, verification of the petitions/signatures, signature count certification, and coordination of documents to the County. The document below outlines the general process to begin the process.

The Elections Division provides these guidelines as a courtesy and strongly recommends that proponents consult with independent counsel on the initiative process, including technical requirements for the format of initiative petitions. The Elections Division will review initiative petitions after a prima facie qualification and acceptance of the filing. The filing of an initiative petition is not an indication that the petition meets all legal requirements.

How to Qualify a Ballot Initiative

Special Election for Wednesday, November 13, 2013
for CFD 2013-1 (WILDFIRE PREVENTION DISTRICT)

At the August 2, 2013 meeting, the Oakland City Council approved the call of a special mail-ballot election for Wednesday, November 13, 2013 and authorized a ballot measure to be placed before the electorate of the City of Oakland Community Facilities District (CFD) 2013-1. Below you will find important information regarding the special election.

ELECTION RESULTS

Formation of the CFD

Call of the Special Election for the CFD

Deadlines for Arguments and Rebuttals

Important Dates

City Attorney's Impartial Analysis and Title and Summary

City Auditor's Impartial Financial Analysis

Wildfire Prevention District - Argument in Favor

Wildfire Prevention District - Argument Against

Wildfire Prevention District - Rebuttal to Argument in Favor

Wildfire Prevention District - Rebuttal to Argument Against

Filing Schedule for City of Oakland Special Mail Ballot Election