How to run for elected office in Santa Ana

Thinking about running for local office? The process begins months before Election Day and involves meeting eligibility requirements, filing official paperwork, and qualifying for a place on the ballot.

Before making campaign promises, it's important to understand the powers and responsibilities of the office you intend to seek. Many residents mistakenly assume that all mayors and city councils have the same authority.

In a separate explainer, The Santanero breaks down the differences between the role of the mayors of Los Angeles vs. Santa Ana, along with what local elected officials can—and cannot—do under Santa Ana's council-manager form of government.

Deciding to run may be the easy part. Building and managing a successful campaign is often the greater challenge. With the candidate filing period opening July 13th, prospective candidates have a limited window to complete the nomination process, which ends August 7th. If you've ever considered seeking elected office in Santa Ana, here's what you need to know.

Step 1: Choose an office

While hundreds of local offices are up for election across Orange County, only a handful serve Santa Ana residents this November. Offices open for candidate filing include:

• Mayor of Santa Ana
• Santa Ana City Council (Wards 2, 4 and 6)
• Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees (Areas 2 and 4)

Candidates must reside within the jurisdiction they seek to represent and meet the legal residency requirements for that office.

Step 2: Meet the qualifications

Candidates for Santa Ana municipal office must generally:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
• Be a registered voter
• Be a current Santa Ana resident
• Provide proof verifying at least 30 days of residency for the office sought before nomination papers are issued (see what district(s), area(s) you reside in here)
• Meet all other legal qualifications to hold public office

Additional eligibility requirements may apply depending on the office.

Step 3: Prepare before filing

Prospective candidates may begin preparing before the nomination period opens.

Those planning to raise or spend campaign funds may file a Candidate Intention Statement (FPPC Form 501). Candidates expecting to raise $2,000 or more, or spend $1,000 or more, generally must establish a campaign committee by filing a Statement of Organization (FPPC Form 410), providing a copy to the appropriate elections official, and setting up campaign finance reporting as required.

Candidates should also familiarize themselves with applicable campaign finance laws and local contribution limits before soliciting or accepting contributions.

Step 4: File nomination papers

Candidates must schedule an appointment with the appropriate elections official during the nomination period to obtain a nomination packet.

The filing authority depends on the office being sought:

• Candidates for Santa Ana Mayor and City Council file through the Santa Ana City Clerk
• Candidates for Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees file through the Orange County Registrar of Voters

Nomination packets typically include:

• Declaration of Candidacy
• Nomination Petition
• Campaign finance forms
• Ballot designation documents, if applicable
• Optional candidate statement forms for the voter information guide
• Other documents required under California election law

Candidates for Santa Ana Mayor and City Council must collect at least 20 valid signatures from registered voters within the jurisdiction they seek to represent. The City Clerk verifies the signatures and accepts completed nomination documents.

Candidates for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education or Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees obtain and submit their nomination paperwork through the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Filing requirements for those contests are administered by the Registrar.

There is no filing fee for these specific offices. All required paperwork must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM on August 7th to qualify for the ballot. If an eligible incumbent does not file by the deadline, the nomination period for that office is extended for five additional calendar days for non-incumbent candidates.

Note that fees may arise when filing an optional candidate statement, establishing and maintaining a campaign committee, and conducting campaign activities.

Step 5: Comply with campaign finance requirements

Campaign finance reporting continues throughout the election cycle.

Candidates who establish campaign committees are responsible for maintaining campaign bank accounts, tracking contributions and expenditures, and filing periodic campaign finance reports that become public records.

The Santanero cannot provide legal or campaign finance advice. Prospective candidates are encouraged to consult the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), the Orange County Registrar of Voters, the Santa Ana City Clerk, or a qualified campaign professional with questions about compliance.

Step 6: Campaign

After qualifying for the ballot, candidates may begin campaigning throughout the community. Campaign activities often include:

• Walking neighborhoods and meeting voters
• Attending community meetings and public events
• Participating in candidate forums and debates
• Raising campaign funds
• Advertising through mail, signs, websites and social media

In today's political atmosphere, a website and social media with a clear avenue for communication between the candidate and public is a basic service in the venture for election. Campaigning, in part, will likely be the hardest part and costliest.

Some candidates begin campaigning before the nomination period opens. However, campaigning alone does not place a candidate on the ballot. Candidates must complete the required filing process during the nomination period to officially qualify

Step 7: Election Day

The General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

After the polls close and ballots are counted, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each office is elected.