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
The first day of the nomination period is July 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. and the last day papers can be filed with the City Clerk is August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. A candidate may withdraw Nomination Papers on or prior to August 7, 2026, until 5:00 p.m.
If an eligible incumbent has failed to file by 5:00 pm August 7, any qualified person other than the incumbent shall have until 5:00 pm on August 12, 2026 to file nomination documents for the elective office (E.C. § 8022, 8024).
For more information on running for office in San Marcos, please contact the City Clerk's Department at (760) 744-1050, ext. 3105.