Santa Rosa City Council Candidate Filing Deadline Is Aug. 7 for Three Districts
Santa Rosa residents considering a City Council run have until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, to submit complete nomination paperwork for Districts 2, 4 and 6.
The seats will be decided in the Nov. 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, and elected council members are expected to serve through December 2030. For candidates, the deadline is a receipt deadline: required documents must be completed and received by the City Clerk by 5 p.m. A postmark is not sufficient.
Which council seats are on the ballot
The filing period covers Santa Rosa City Council Districts 2, 4 and 6. The nomination period opened July 13.
The City Clerk’s candidate FAQ says the nomination process is conducted by appointment. Candidates who wait until the final day may have less time to correct problems, including signature issues, before the filing period closes.
Possible Aug. 10-12 extension
A limited extension may be available from Aug. 10 through Aug. 12, but it is not automatic and does not apply to every district.
The additional filing window is available only to non-incumbent candidates if the incumbent for that specific office has not filed by the 5 p.m. Aug. 7 deadline. Candidates should confirm whether the condition applies to the district they seek before relying on the extension.
Where and when to file
The Santa Rosa City Clerk’s Office is at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 10. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, to accept nomination papers only.
For appointments and filing questions, candidates can contact the City Clerk’s Office at 707-543-3015 or cityclerk@srcity.org. Residents can also use the city’s district map to confirm whether they live in District 2, 4 or 6.
Basic eligibility requirements
City election materials say a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a Santa Rosa resident and a registered voter in the council district when nomination papers are issued. The rules also bar candidates who are in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
The city’s FAQ says signatures on nomination papers can be disqualified if signers are not registered voters or do not live within city limits. Filing papers does not by itself establish qualification; required documents and signatures must be submitted and verified.
July 31 candidate list is only a snapshot
Santa Rosa’s candidate-information list, updated July 31, 2026, shows filing activity by district. The document includes separate categories for papers issued, papers filed and qualification status.
That list should not be treated as final. The city says candidate information will be updated as papers are issued, and the qualification process continues through the nomination period. The city’s FAQ says a full list of qualified candidates will be available after the nomination period closes on Aug. 7, or after Aug. 12 if the filing period is extended because an incumbent did not file.
What happens next
Santa Rosa voters will choose council members for Districts 2, 4 and 6 on Nov. 3, 2026. Residents who need to verify their district, eligibility or current filing status should rely on the City Clerk’s Office rather than an earlier candidate snapshot.
Sources
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