Election Information

The Municipal Elections are held in November of even-numbered years and are consolidated with the Kern County Elections Department. The elective officers of the City consist of a City Council made up of four Councilmembers and a directly elected Mayor. Elected officers serve "at large," representing the entire community, rather than a particular district. The Mayor and the City Council are elected to four-year overlapping terms. There are no limits to the number of terms they may serve.

Requirements

Anyone who is 18 years of age and who is a resident and registered voter in the City of Arvin may run for a seat on the City Council.

Nomination Period

The nomination period opens in mid-July of election years and appropriate papers to file and run for office may be obtained from the City Clerk. The nomination period for the November 8, 2022, General Municipal Election is July 18, 2022, through August 12, 2022. Potential candidates may call the City Clerk's office at 661-854-3134 to schedule an appointment for an orientation meeting to obtain the documents prior to the filing period to run for office. Potential candidates are required to gather twenty valid signatures of registered Arvin voters on a mandatory nomination form supplied by the City Clerk. Candidates who wish to have a statement of their qualifications published in the sample ballot, which is mailed to all registered voters, must pay their share of the publishing/printing costs.

Submit Reports

Based on an established schedule, candidates must file statements reporting all campaign contributions and expenditures for the designated time period. These reports are available in the City Clerk's Office for public review.

Political Reform Act Campaign Disclosure Requirements & Filings

Since 1974, California has had in place a campaign finance disclosure law requiring candidates and committees to make public their contributions and expenditures. All local elected officeholders, candidates for local elected offices, and committees in support or opposed to local candidates are required to file their campaign disclosure reports with the City Clerk at specified intervals.

In general terms, the Forms include:

Form 470, Officeholder & Candidate Campaign Statement Short Form

A candidate who does not anticipate raising or spending more than $2,000 may file a 470 "Short" Form to indicate his or her candidacy. If a candidate does not intend to raise or spend more than $2,000, this may be the only campaign finance reporting form they are required to file.

Form 501, Candidate Intention Statement

Form 501 indicates a candidate's intent to seek elected office and that he or she intends to raise or spend more than $2,000 in doing so. It must be filed prior to the solicitation or receipt of any contribution, or the expenditure of any personal funds used for an election.

Form 410, Statement of Organization Recipient Committee

A campaign committee must file a Form 410 within 10 days of raising or spending $2,000. Form 410 indicates the candidate for which the committee was formed, the name and address of the campaign committee, the treasurer, and the location (bank name and address) of the committee's bank account.

Form 460, Recipient Committee Campaign Statement

At semi-annual intervals during the year and more regularly prior to Election Day, candidates must file a Form 460 outlining the manner in which they raise and spend money in pursuit of elected office. Form 460 indicates the name, address, occupation, and employer of contributors as well as the name, address, and purpose for which payments have been made. It also outlines how much was raised and spent during that specific reporting period and in total for the calendar year. Detailed itemization is required for contributions received from a single source totaling $100 or more; expenditures of $100 or more; accrued expenses of $100 or more; and miscellaneous increases to cash of $100 or more. The law does not allow addresses to be posted online, however, that information may be available from the City Clerk's Office located at:
City Hall
200 Campus Drive
Arvin, CA 93203

Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests

The Political Reform Act requires most state and local government officials and employees to publicly disclose their personal assets and income. They also must disqualify themselves from participating in decisions which may affect their personal economic interests. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is the state agency responsible for interpreting the law's provisions. Copies of the forms for all City filers are available in the City Clerk's Office. They are also available at the FPPC's website and at their office at the following location:
1102 Q Street
Suite 3000
Sacramento, CA 95811

Contact

If you would like more information, you may call the City Clerk's Office at 661-854-3134.