Candidate Information
Find information related to becoming a candidate for Berkeley elective office and see who has filed for the ballot.
Election timing
Elections happen every two years in November. The below offices are elected at the same time as the presidential election (November 2024):
- Mayor
- City Council Districts 2, 3, 5, and 6
- Rent Board Commissioners
- School Board Directors
The following offices are elected at the same time as the California governor election (November 2026):
- City Auditor
- City Council Districts 1, 4, 7 and 8
- Rent Board Commissioners
- School Board Directors
More detailed candidate information and important dates for the 2024 General Municipal Election will be available soon. The updated general information brochure will also be available soon in different languages in the related documents section.
Each elected office serves a four-year term. Election to the office of Mayor, Auditor, and City Council requires a 50% + 1 majority vote threshold. Rent Board and School Board winners are determined by plurality vote.
Running for Office
Each city elected office has eligibility requirements for candidates. Every election, the City Clerk Department posts an updated Candidate Handbook and Resource Guide. The 2022 version of the Candidate Handbook and Resource Guide is available for general information, but the dates and other information will change in the 2024 edition. You may also contact the City Clerk Department at elections@berkeleyca.gov if you have questions about the qualification process for Berkeley candidates.
Past elections
You can find information about past candidates through Records Online. Read elections results documents in Records Online to learn which candidates were elected and which ballot measures voters passed. Read voter information pamphlets for more detail about each candidate and ballot measure.
