Government

Municipal Elections

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Municipal Election General Information

There are five (5) elected positions in the City of Encinitas: one (1) Mayor elected at-large and four (4) City Council Members elected by district. For more information, visit the Elected Officials page.

General Municipal Elections are conducted every even-numbered year and are consolidated with the State General Election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.   The next General Municipal Election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Current City Council
  • Bruce Ehlers - Mayor - Elected on November 5, 2024 - term expires November 2026
  • Luke Shaffer - Council Member District 1 - Elected November 5, 2024 - term expires November 2028
  • Jim O'Hara - Council Member District 2 - Elected on November 5, 2024 - term expires November 2028
  • Joy Lyndes - Council Member District 3 - Elected November 8, 2022 - term expires November 2026
  • Marco San Antonio - Council Member District 4 -  Appointed January 22, 2024 - term expires November 2026* (vacancy created by Bruce Ehlers being elected Mayor)

Voting District Maps and Information

The following maps and address lists have been updated with the newly adopted district map information.

For information regarding the current Re-Districting process for District Based Elections, please visit the City Council Redistricting page.

Running for Local Office

General Qualifications for Candidates

Age & Citizenship

A candidate must be 18 years of age and a citizen of the state (Government Code Section 1020).

By-District Election

On November 15, 2017 the City Council adopted Ordinance 2017-15 establishing a by-district election process with four single-member Council districts.

Following every federal decennial census, local governments that conduct elections using district-based voting are required to commence a formal redistricting process as prescribed by the California Elections Code, based upon the new Census. Check out more information regarding the current Re-Districting process for District Based Elections.

Residency Requirements

  • Mayor: Candidates for Mayor must be a resident and registered voter of the City of Encinitas.
  • Council Member: A candidate elected to represent a district must reside in that district and be a registered voter in that district. Any candidate for City Council must live in, and be a registered voter in, the district in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are issued, pursuant to California Government Code Section 34882 and Elections Code Section 10227.

Termination of residency in a district by a Council Member shall create an immediate vacancy for that council district unless a substitute residence within the district is established within 30 days after the termination of residency.

Conviction of Crimes

A person is disqualified from holding any office upon conviction of designated crimes as specified in the Constitution and the laws of the State of California (Government Code Section 1021).

Campaign Statements Filed with the City Clerk's Office

View campaign statements filed by Council Members, candidates, and campaign committees - both active and terminated.

Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interests - Mayor/Council Members/Candidates 

Campaign Reporting Requirements for Candidates

  • Campaign Basics Fast Facts
  • Candidate Toolkit - Important candidate information for before, during and after the election.  All forms available from FPPC website.
    • Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement - the Form 501 is filed each election by candidates for local office. Original to be filed with the City Clerk.
    • Form 410 Statement of Organization - the Form 410 must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions. When filing the Form 410, include a $50 payment made payable to the Secretary of State. If your committee has not yet reached the $2,000 threshold, mark the “not yet qualified” box. The $50 fee is requested at this time but is not legally required until the group qualifies as a committee. Original to be filed with the Secretary or State and a copy filed with the City Clerk.
    • Form 460 - the Form 460 is filed by recipient committees to report expenditures and contributions before, during and after the election. The Form 460 can be used to file a pre-election statement, semi-annual statement, quarterly statement, termination statement, special odd-year report, or an amendment to a previously filed statement.
    • Candidate Disclosure Manual 2 for Local Candidates
    • FPPC Fact Sheets

Using the links above, become familiar with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website, candidate filing requirements included in Campaign Disclosure Manual, and filing deadlines. The FPPC will be conducting a candidate and treasurer seminar that will provide information on campaign reporting, and Political Reform Act's requirements and prohibitions. Forms may be obtained in hard copy from the City Clerk or electronically from the FPPC’s website.

City of Encinitas Local Contribution Limits

The City of Encinitas has local contribution limits as follows (Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 2.16)

  • No person shall contribute more than $250.00 total to any candidate for City Council or their controlled committee, for any one election. Additionally, no candidate for City Council or their controlled committee shall solicit or accept any contribution which would cause the total amount contributed by the person to the candidate or their controlled committee to exceed $250.00 total for any one election.

  • No person shall contribute more than $500.00 total to any candidate for Mayor or their controlled committee, for any one election. Additionally, no candidate for Mayor or their controlled committee shall solicit or accept any contribution which would cause the total amount contributed by the person to the candidate or their controlled committee to exceed $500.00 total for any one election.

The above limits shall not apply to a candidate's contributions of their personal funds to their own campaign account.

Campaign Sign Regulations

Ordinance No. 2016-03 was adopted on January 27, 2016 and went into effect on February 27, 2016. The Ordinance amends EMC Chapter 2.16 to remove time limits for signs displaying political or other noncommercial messages, whereby the display of such signs is permitted at all times. Please note the provisions allow for an unlimited number of signs at all times with the property owner’s permission but there are size limits for each individual sign.

    Voter Registration Information

    You may check your voter registration status with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office to make sure you are eligible to vote in the next election. You must be registered to vote at least 15 days before an election. If the registration deadline has passed for an upcoming election, you may visit the Registrar’s office during the 14 days prior to, and on Election Day, to conditionally register and vote provisionally.

    Voting material mailings begin 29 days before the election. To make sure your voting materials are promptly delivered to you, please verify that you are registered correctly.

    If you have recently submitted a voter registration form, please note that it can take several days to process your registration.

    You Can Register to Vote in California, if you are:

    • A U.S. Citizen
    • A California Resident
    • At least 18 years of age on or before the next election
    • Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
    • Not declared mentally incompetent by court action

    Voter registration forms are available on-line at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters website. Citizens can fill in the registration form on-line, print and sign, and mail to the Registrar of Voters.

    Information Resources

    The information on this webpage is not all encompassing; it merely summarizes the basic requirements to establish candidacy. Candidates, political committees, and anyone interested in elective office should not, therefore, rely solely on this information, but should seek legal counsel or contact the City Clerk’s Office for more detailed information at (760) 633-2601.

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