Candidate Information

The next General Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of three (3) Council seats.

To be eligible to run for Town Council a candidate must be registered to vote in the Town of Los Gatos at the time nomination papers are issued by the Office of the Town Clerk.

To be a registered voter in the Town, one must reside in the incorporated area of the Town of Los Gatos and be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age on election day; not in prison, on parole, serving state prison sentence in a county jail, or serving sentence for a felony; and not found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law. The Office of the Town Clerk will verify voter registration status with the County of Santa Clara Elections Office before issuing nomination papers.

Candidates who intend to file nomination papers during the Nomination period may incur filing obligations prior to the Nomination period, pursuant to the Political Reform Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regulations. 

Candidates must file a Form 501 Candidate Intentions Statement before soliciting or receiving any contributions, or before making expenditures on behalf of a candidacy.

Nomination papers to run for office must be obtained from the Town Clerk during the nomination period. Appointments are required to obtain and submit nomination documents during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the filing period.  

November 3, 2026, Election Nomination Filing Period                                                                    Monday, July 13, 2026 - Friday, August 7, 2026

EXTENDED Nomination Filing Period (if one or more incumbents does not file)                Saturday, August 8 - Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Candidates must wait until the nomination period begins to obtain a nomination packet from the Town Clerk. Forms include, but are not limited to, the Nomination Paper, Ballot Designation Worksheet, Candidate Statement (optional), Code of Fair Campaign Practices (optional), Statement of Economic Interests Form 700, and Campaign Finance Disclosure statements.

Based on an established Fair Political Practice Commission schedule, candidates must file statements reporting all campaign contributions and expenditures for the designated time period:

  • Form 501 Candidate Intentions Statement: A candidate for state or local office must file this form for each election, including reelection to the same office, and must be filed before soliciting or receiving any contributions, or before making expenditures on behalf of a candidacy.
  • Form 410 Statement of Organization of Recipient Committee: Must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions.
  • Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement: This form is for use by all recipient committees that have raised or spent or will raise or spend $2,000 or more in a calendar year in connection with an election to office or holding office.
  • Form 470 Officeholder/Candidate Statement-Short Form and Form 470 Supplement: This is filed by officeholders and candidates who do not have a controlled committee, do not receive contributions totaling $2,000 or more during the calendar year, and do not spend $2,000 or more during the calendar year.

The Fair Political Practices Commission offers training for candidates and treasurers on their reporting responsibilities, which can be accessed here Version OptionsCandidate InformationHeadline. 

The Town adheres to campaign contribution limits established by the State. The State campaign contribution limit for the 2025-2026 is $5,900.

Fair Political Practices Commission: Contribution Limits for City and County Candidates

The Candidate Instructional Guide: Running for Elective Office (last revised June 2024) provides an overview of Town Government and the responsibilities of an elected Town Council Member.  It provides detailed information related to the process of running for elective office, overviews each of the nomination documents, and provides guidance and information related to campaign reporting requirements for candidates and elected officials.

Candidates are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk for more information prior to raising or spending money towards a campaign for office.

You can find Campaign Disclosure Statements and information on the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website.

The Town Clerk is a candidate's primary source of information during the nomination and election process. To best serve you, individuals interested in running for office are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk to ask questions. The Town Clerk can be reached at (408) 354-6834 or via email at clerk@losgatosca.gov. 

Temporary Signs

The Los Gatos Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 29 of the Los Gatos Municipal Code, regulates signs in the Town.  

Temporary Signs - With the exception of yard signs, any number of temporary signs, either freestanding or attached, is permitted, limited to a total sign area not exceeding six (6) square feet in residential zones and eighteen (18) square feet in other zones. There is no limit on the number of yard signs, but no yard sign shall exceed six square feet in size. All persons who erect temporary signs, including yard signs, or who own or control the premises where temporary signs are erected, are jointly and severally responsible to remove such signs after ninety (90) days or as otherwise set forth in this Division. Temporary signs relating to an event, such as an election, shall be removed within seven (7) days after the event. [Sec. 29.10.110(15)]

No Temporary Signs are allowed:

  • Within the public right-of-way. [Sec. 29.10.125(9)]
  • Obstructing the view of a traffic sign, signal, or device. [Sec. 29.10.115(7)]
  • On any fence, pole tree, pavement, wall, bus stop, bench, or any other object in a public thoroughfare. [Sec. 29.10.115(9)]