Candidate Information

The next General Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the election of two Council seats.

To be eligible to run for Town Council a candidate must be registered to vote in the Town of Los Gatos at the time nomination papers are issued by the Office of the Town Clerk.

To be a registered voter in the Town, one must reside in the incorporated area of the Town of Los Gatos and be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age on election day; not in prison, on parole, serving state prison sentence in a county jail, or serving sentence for a felony; and not found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law. The Office of the Town Clerk will verify voter registration status with the County of Santa Clara Elections Office before issuing nomination papers.

Candidates who intend to file nomination papers during the Nomination period may incur filing obligations prior to the Nomination period, pursuant to the Political Reform Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regulations.

Nomination papers to run for office must be obtained from the Town Clerk when the nomination period opens. Appointments are required to obtain and submit nomination documents during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the filing period.  

November 5, 2024, Election Nomination Filing Period                                                                    Monday, July 15, 2024 - Friday, August 9, 2024

EXTENDED Nomination Filing Period (if one or more incumbent does not file)             Saturday, August 10 - Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Candidates must wait until the nomination period begins to obtain a nomination packet from the Town Clerk. Forms include, but are not limited to, the Nomination Paper, Ballot Designation Worksheet, Candidate Statement (optional), Code of Fair Campaign Practices (optional), Statement of Economic Interests Form 700, and Campaign Finance Disclosure statements.

Based on an established schedule, candidates must file statements reporting all campaign contributions and expenditures for the designated time period:

  • Form 501 Candidate Intentions Statement: A candidate for state or local office must file this form for each election, including reelection to the same office, and must be filed before soliciting or receiving any contributions, or before making expenditures on behalf of a candidacy.
  • Form 410 Statement of Organization of Recipient Committee: Must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions.
  • Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement: This form is for use by all recipient committees who have raised or spent or will raise or spend $2,000 or more in a calendar year in connection with election to office or holding office.
  • Form 470 Officeholder/Candidate Statement-Short Form and Form 470 Supplement: This is filed by officeholders and candidates who do not have a controlled committee, do not receive contributions totaling $2,000 or more during the calendar year, and do not spend $2,000 or more during the calendar year.

The Town adheres to campaign contribution limits established by the State. The State campaign contribution limit for the 2023-2024 is $5,500.

Fair Political Practices Commission: Contribution Limits for City and County Candidates

The Candidate Instructional Guide: Running for Elective Office (last revised 6/23/2022) provides an overview of Town Government and responsibilities of an elected Town Council Member.  It provides detailed information related to the process of running for elective office, overviews each of the nomination documents, and provides guidance and information related to campaign reporting requirements for candidates and elected officials.

Candidates are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk for more information prior to raising or spending money towards a campaign for office.

You can find Campaign Disclosure Statements and information on the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website.

The Town Clerk is a candidate's primary source of information during the nomination and election process. To best serve you, individuals interested in running for office are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk to ask questions. The Town Clerk can be reached at (408) 354-6834 or via email at clerk@losgatosca.gov. 

Political Signs

The Los Gatos Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 29 of the Los Gatos Municipal Code, regulates signs in the Town. Los Gatos Political Sign and Solicitation Regulations. 

No political sign shall be erected an unreasonable period of time in advance of the election or convention, and all persons who erect political signs or who own or control the premises where political signs are erected, are jointly and severally liable to remove such signs within ten (10) days after the election or convention to which the sign pertains. (Sec. 29.10.110(15)).

No Signs, political or otherwise are allowed:

  • Within the public right-of-way. (Sec. 29.10.125(9))
  • Obstructing the view of a traffic sign, signal, or device. (Sec. 29.10.115(7))
  • On any fence, pole tree, pavement, wall, bus stop, bench, or any other object in a public thoroughfare. (Sec. 29.10.115(9))