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VENTURA — The candidate nomination period for the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election will officially open on Monday, July 13, 2026. Voters in the City of Ventura will elect City Councilmembers representing Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6.
To be eligible to run for City Council, a candidate must:
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Be a resident of the City of Ventura;
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Be a registered voter; and
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Be eligible to vote in the City Council district they seek to represent.
Individuals interested in running for City Council must schedule an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office to receive nomination papers and complete the candidate filing process. Nomination appointments take approximately one hour and are available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact 805-658-4787 or cityclerk@cityofventura.ca.gov.
The nomination period will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026. If an eligible incumbent for a district does not file nomination papers by the close of the nomination period, the filing period for that district only will be extended to five calendar days until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, allowing individuals other than the incumbent to file for office.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to begin preparing early. The City Clerk’s Office will host a Candidate Information Session on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The informational session will provide an overview of the nomination process, required filing documents, important election deadlines, and campaign finance requirements. Attendance is not required but is strongly encouraged for anyone considering a run for City Council.
“Strong communities begin with people who are willing to step forward and serve,” said Michael MacDonald, Ventura City Clerk. “Every election is an opportunity for residents to shape the future of San Buenaventura, and I encourage anyone who is considering public office to learn about the process, ask questions, and take that first step toward civic leadership.”
Prospective candidates should be aware that City Hall is regularly closed every other Friday, including Friday, August 7, the final day of the nomination period. On that date, the City Clerk’s Office will be available by appointment only to conduct candidate filing appointments. Candidates are strongly encouraged to schedule their appointments well in advance of the filing deadline and not wait until the final days of the nomination period.
Additional information about the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, including candidate eligibility requirements, nomination procedures, election deadlines, district maps, campaign finance resources, and other election information, is available on the City’s Elections webpage at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/elections