Running for City Council | City of Belmont

Election Schedule/Starting Your Campaign

The General Municipal Election for the City of Belmont is held in November of even-numbered years. The City of Belmont has four Council districts for City Council elections. Under Belmont district-based election system, City Council candidates must reside in the district they are running for. Learn more about District Elections.

Voters in Districts 1 and 3 will elect City Councilmembers in November 2026.
All Belmont voters will elect a Mayor at Large for a two-year term.

Key Election Dates

Monday, July 13, 2026
Nomination Period opened at 8:00 am

Friday, August 7, 2026
Nomination Period closed at 5:00 pm

Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Election Day - Polls Opened at 7:00 am and Polls Closed at 8:00 pm.

Training

Qualifications for Office

Any member of the public who meets the requirements below may run for public office in the City of San Mateo. Candidates must:

Be at least eighteen years of age
Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of California
Be a registered voter of the City of Bellmont
Have resided continuously in Belmont for at least 30 days immediately preceding the appointment or final filing date for nomination papers. Registration will be verified before issuance of nomination papers.

Nomination Forms

Candidates must obtain and complete the official nomination documents that are issued by the Office of the City Clerk. This is done during the official nomination period. Nomination forms are issued at no charge.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm (closed 12pm-1pm) except for City holidays. To schedule an appointment, please contact the City Clerk's Office by email cclerk@belmont.gov or call 650-595-7414.

A candidate should be prepared to provide their name and residential address for validation of current voter registration and eligibility status for the district they intend to run in.

File Candidate Intention Statement

Campaign Contribution Limits

An individual may not make, and a candidate may not receive from any individual, any contribution to the campaign of any individual candidate for any city elective public office in excess of $500.00 in any calendar year.

An organization may not make, and a candidate may not receive from any organization, any contribution to the campaign of any individual candidate for any city elective office in excess of $500.00 in any calendar year.

Belmont Municipal Code/ Campaign contribution limits.

All officeholders and candidates with open committees are required to file semi-annual (twice a year) campaign statements reporting on their campaign accounts. Committee campaign statements are filed January 31 and July 31 of each year.

File Your Campaign Statements and Reports

File a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)

Statement of Economic Interest/Form 700

Please see the information below on Form 700s including how to view them online. As of January 1, 2025 you may visit the Fair Political Practices Commission website to view 87200 and qualified candidate filings.

Search for a Form 700 on fppc.ca.gov

Who Must File Form 700

Public officials, designated employees, and certain consultants who hold positions that involve making or participating in the making of decisions, which may foreseeably have a material effect on the holder's financial interests also must file. Public officials are specified in Government Code Section 87200. They include the Mayor, Council Members, the City Attorney, the City Manager/Administrator, Planning Commissioners, and City Treasurer/Finance Director. Additionally, candidates for elected positions are also required to file.

File Your Campaign Statements and Reports