Election Results

• On November 7, 2017 the City held a Special Municipal Election to elect one City Councilmember for an unexpired term (expiring November, 2018).  
• For this election, the nomination filing period was July 17 through August 11. During this nomination period, four sets of nomination papers were issued. Three nominees returned their papers and qualified to run for City Council. The other nominee did not return their papers, opting not to run for a Council seat at this time.
• Certified, final election results are posted by the Marin County Elections Department

About the November 7 Special Election

• On June 6, 2017 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5656 calling for a special November 7, 2017 election to elect one City Councilmember for an unexpired term (expiring November, 2018). See the Notice of the Election here.

Qualified Candidates

The following is a listing of those qualified to run in the November 7, 2017 Special Municipal Election and their Candidate Forms.

Melissa Blaustein

• Nomination Papers Issued/Filed: August 9, 2017/August 11, 2017
• Candidate's Statement
• Campaign Contribution Forms (will be posted throughout the race)
  • Form 501 - Candidate Intention Statement
  • Form 410 - Statement of Organization Recipient Committee
  • Form 497 - Contribution Report
  • Form 460 - Consolidated Campaign Disclosure Forms:
    • First Pre-election Statement due September 29, 2017
    • Second Pre-election Statement due October 27, 2017
    • Post Election Statement due January 31, 2018 Part 1 Part 2
    • Final Financial Election Statement
  • Form 410- Termination of Recipient Committee

Susan Cleveland-Knowles

• Nomination Papers Issued/Filed: July 19, 2017/August 10, 2017
• Candidate's Statement
• Campaign Contribution Forms (will be posted throughout the race)
  • Form 501 - Candidate Intention Statement
  • Form 410/Amended Form 410 - Statement of Organization Recipient Committee
  • Form 497 - Contribution Report
  • Form 460 - Consolidated Campaign Disclosure Forms:
    • First Pre-election Statement due September 29, 2017
    • Second Pre-election Statement due October 27, 2017
    • Post Election Statement due January 31, 2018
    • Final Financial Election Statement
  • Form 410- Termination of Recipient Committee

Bill Werner

• Nomination Papers Issued/Filed: July 18, 2017/July 27, 2017
• Candidate's Statement
• Campaign Contribution Forms (will be posted throughout the race)
  • Form 501 - Candidate Intention Statement
  • Form 410 - Statement of Organization Recipient Committee
  • Form 497 - Contribution Report
  • Form 460 - Consolidated Campaign Disclosure Forms:
    • First Pre-election Statement due September 29, 2017
    • Second Pre-election Statement due October 27, 2017
    • Post Election Statement due January 31, 2018
    • Final Financial Election Statement
  • Form 410- Termination of Recipient Committee

Important Deadlines

• Monday, July 17, 2017: Beginning of Nomination Period- first day to pick up and file Nomination Papers. Nomination papers may be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk, 420 Litho Street, Monday-Thursday by pre-scheduled appointment only; to make an appointment: call (415) 289-4134 or (415) 289-4165.
• Friday, August 11, 2017: The last day to file Nomination Papers - by 5:00 pm. As required by law, the Clerk’s Office will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on the last day of filing. Also the last day to withdraw Nomination Papers
• Tuesday, August 17, 2017: Secretary of State draws randomized alphabet to determine order of candidates' names on the ballot for this election
• Tuesday, October 31, 2017: Last day to apply for a vote by mail ballot, by mail from Registrar of Voters
• Tuesday, November 7, 2017: Election Day. Election Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, December 7, 2017: Election certification. Deadline for the Marin County Elections Office to certify the election results

Campaign Signs

• Handout on Rules Regarding Posting of Campaign Signs

Register to Vote

• Residents who have moved or changed their name must re-register to be eligible to vote in future elections. Postage-paid, pre-addressed registration forms may be obtained from any post office, city/town hall, public library or fire station in Marin County.
• You may also register to vote online via the California Online Voter Registration website.

Register to Vote in Person

• Residents may also register to vote in person at the Marin County Registrar of Voters' Office. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number is (415) 499-6456, and the fax number is (415) 499-6447.
• If you have moved or changed your name you must re-register to be eligible to vote in any future elections.
• The address of the Marin County Registrar of Voters is Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 121, San Rafael, California.
• For more voting information, please visit the Marin County Registrar of Voters website.
• Please contact the City Clerk at (415) 289-4134 to obtain any election forms you may require.

Campaign Contributions

• Information regarding the raising of funds for a campaign, campaign contributions and other rules will be provided in the Candidate Handbook, which a candidate will receive when they pick up Nomination Papers. The information below is provided as a courtesy for those who choose to begin raising funds prior to filing Nomination Papers. Please note that this information is not exhaustive.
• The Form 501 Statement of Intent must be filed by the candidate prior to solicitation or receipt of any contribution, or expenditure of any personal funds used for the election except for the use of personal funds only for filing fees and/or the Statement of Qualifications in the sample ballot. Form 501 is filed with the Clerk's Office in Sausalito. Candidates who file a Form 501 must set up a separate bank account for the campaign with a financial institution in California, if they accept contributions.
• A campaign finance committee must be opened once $2,000 is raised or spent for a campaign. Open a campaign finance committee by filing a Form 410. File the Form 410 with original ink signature(s) with the Secretary of State, Political Reform Division, 1500 11th Street, Rm 495, Sacramento, CA 95814. Also file a copy with the Clerk’s Office in Sausalito.
• Once a Fom 501 and/or Form 410 is filed there are other requirements to file reports or campaign statements on contributions and expenditures and which are due at various times during the course of the pre-election period. View the reporting deadlines here.
• In 1999, the Sausalito City Council adopted an ordinance that sets limitations on campaign contributions. Candidates may not accept contributions or loans in excess of $250. Review Ordinance No. 1136 before any fundraising begins. Other Campaign Reform adopted by the Sausalito City Council includes regulations on Independent Expenditures- view Ordinance No. 1202.
• The information provided here is general information and is not exhaustive. The laws surrounding the raising of funds, and the expenditure and reporting of campaign contributions, are continually changing. If you have any questions you may want to contact the following State Offices directly:
  • Fair Political Practices Commission (866) 275-3772, toll free: www.fppc.ca.gov
  • Secretary of State Elections Division (916) 653-6814: www.sos.ca.gov

Election Notices

• A CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ELECTION was filed with the Marin County Registrar of Voters and the Marin County Clerk of the Board on June 12 and June 15, 2017 (respectively). See the City Council Resolution No. 5656.
• NOTICE OF ELECTION. The notice of the election was posted on June 19, published on July 7, and posted online on July 11.
• NOTICE OF NOMINEES. The notice of nominees was posted in hard copy and online on October 25 and published on October 27.