Monday, July 16, was the first day for individuals to pull nomination papers if they intend to run for the offices of Santa Clara City Council, Police Chief or City Clerk in the November 6, 2012 election.
The forms may be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office in Santa Clara City Hall, 1500 Warburton Ave. Nomination documents must be returned by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10. An extension period is offered until Wednesday, Aug. 15, if an incumbent able to run for re-election (i.e. not termed out) does not submit nomination documents by Aug. 10.
Four Council Seats will be on the ballot. William Kennedy, who holds Council Seat 3, Kevin Moore, who holds Council Seat 4, and Jamie McLeod, who holds Council Seat 7 are termed out and cannot run for re-election. Lisa Gillmor, Seat 6, is completing a Council-appointed term to fill a vacancy, and is eligible to run again.
Also on the ballot are the positions of Chief of Police and City Clerk, neither of which have limits for the total number of terms they may serve. Former Chief of Police Steve Lodge retired in 2010 and Kevin Kyle was appointed Acting Police Chief until a new Chief could be elected. Santa Clara is the only city in California that elects its Chief of Police. Acting Chief Kyle is currently ineligible for election in Santa Clara; Clerk Diridon has served as City Clerk since election in 2004 and re-election in 2008.
Potential candidates will be provided with a packet of information that outlines the nomination and election process, disclosure requirements, and the voluntary campaign expenditure limit program, as well as the City of Santa Clara’s guidelines on ethical campaigning.
For more information, or to make an appointment to pick up nomination papers, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 408-615-2200.