Elections

Registration forms are available at the City Clerk Department, located at 1 Civic Center Drive. You can also register online through the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters or the California Secretary of State.

Updating your voter registration

If you have recently moved, changed your name, or wish to update your political party, you need to re-register to vote. The County Registrar of Voters will only recognize your most recent registration. There is no need to cancel your previous registration unless you are moving out of the county.

Voting options

Check your voter registration

The City Clerk serves as the election official and is responsible for the issuance of nomination papers, placing city measures on the ballot and conducting municipal elections in accordance with the City of San Marcos Municipal Code, the Elections Code and the Political Reform Act of 1974. 

The City of San Marcos is a Charter City governed by a five-member City Council consisting of an elected Mayor and four City Council Members. 

• To qualify as a candidate for City Council, an individual must be a registered voter and a resident of the City of San Marcos and the district they want to represent.
• To qualify as a candidate for Mayor, an individual must be a registered voter and a resident of the City of San Marcos (the mayor is elected by voters citywide).
  Terms are four years.
• There is a limit of three consecutive terms for each position

For more information on running for office in San Marcos, please contact the City Clerk's Department at (760) 744-1050, ext. 3105.

Temporary political signs displaying noncommercial messages are regulated by San Marcos Municipal Code 20.320.060.(PDF, 114KB)

See city-owned properties(PDF, 2MB)

Helpful tips for political sign placement

• No permit required: No permit is required for placing temporary political signs.
• Pre-election period: Begins 35 calendar days before an election and ends 10 calendar days after the election.
• Sign placement:
  • Total display area of all signs is limited to 16 square feet on any property before the pre-election period.
  • During the pre-election period, an unlimited number of signs are allowed per property with the property owner’s permission.
• Sign size: Maximum size of any sign during the pre-election period is 32 square feet.
• Sign removal: Must be removed no later than 10 calendar days after the election.
• Get permission: Signs must be placed on private property only with the owner’s consent. Owners may remove unauthorized signs without advance notice.
• Keep views clear: Signs must not obstruct vehicle sight distance or impede pedestrian/vehicular movement. Do not attach to traffic signals, street lights, utility poles, or stop signs.
• Avoid public property: Signs must not be placed on public property, including road right-of-way areas, guardrails, or fencing around drainage structures. 
• Keep it simple: Illuminated, flashing, or rotating signs are prohibited. Loudspeakers or sound amplifiers for political advertising are not permitted.

Authorized removal

Signs placed on public or private property that endanger safety or interfere with sight distance will be removed by City staff, and the candidate will be billed for the removal cost.

Signs on public property that do not pose an immediate hazard may be removed after notice if the responsible party does not comply. Public right-of-way typically extends 10 feet from the curb. Center islands are also public right-of-way. Private property owners may remove signs at any time without notice.

Prohibited locations for political signs

Political signs are prohibited on public property, including:

• Landscaped medians in the center of roadways
• Street right-of-way areas (usually 10 feet from the curb)
• Guardrails, drainage structures, or fences
• Traffic signals, stop signs, and utility poles
• San Marcos Post Office (Twin Oaks Valley Road)
• California State University, San Marcos campus
• Palomar Community College campus
• San Marcos Unified School District properties
• Vallecitos Water District properties
• City-owned properties(PDF, 2MB)

Abatement procedures

From rights-of-way and public property

Signs may be removed on sight if a hazard exists. No notice is required. If possible, the City will provide a 72-hour notice before removal. Unclaimed signs will be destroyed 30 days after removal. Costs for removal after the notice period will be billed to the candidate.

From private property

A Notice of Violation will be issued to the responsible party, with a reasonable compliance timeframe. If the issue is not resolved, a citation may be issued.