How to Run for Office

The next Fairfax General Municipal Election is  November 8, 2022, when the voters of the Town of Fairfax will elect two members to the Town Council, a Town Clerk and Town Treasurer, each for a 4-year term.

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a registered Fairfax Voter at the time nomination papers are issued, to be eligible to run for office. You can register or confirm that you are registered by contacting the Marin County Elections Office:  https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv

NOMINATION PERIOD: July 18-August 17

The  deadline to file nomination papers was August 17, 2022.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

The FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission) mandates the campaign filing requirements for local candidates. The Town Clerk serves as the filing officer for local campaign disclosure statements. Candidates are required to disclose certain economic interests, and must file periodic campaign reports. Failure to file appropriate statements and reports can result in criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. Failure to file within prescribed deadlines can also lead to monetary penalties for each day a statement is late. The appropriate forms will be provided to candidates by the Town Clerk.

1. Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
   A candidate for local office must file this form prior to solicitation or receipt of any contribution or expenditure of any personal funds used for the election. The form is filed with the Town Clerk.
2. Statement of Organization Recipient Committee (Form 410)
   A candidate who raises contributions from others totaling $2,000 or more during a calendar year must file an original Form 410 with the Secretary of State to disclose campaign bank account information and to receive a campaign committee identification number. A copy of the form is filed with the Town Clerk.
3. Recipient Committee Campaign Statement (Form 460)
   A candidate who has a controlled committee, or who has raised or spent or will raise or spend $2,000 or more during a calendar year in connection with an election to office, will be required to file this form periodically prior to and following the election.
4. Campaign Statement – Short Form (Form 470)
   Candidates who do not intend to raise or spend $2,000 in a calendar year in conjunction with their candidacy will file a Form 470 with the Town Clerk.
5. Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)
   Candidates are required to file a Form 700 disclosing all reportable investments, interests in real property and income. Please be aware that all statements, and information submitted in conjunction with the statements, are a matter of public record and available for review by any requester.

Register to vote

Please visit the Marin County Elections website for more information:  https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv. Hard copies of the voter registration forms are available at Town Hall.

Candidate Resources

Limitations and Restrictions on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Loans
FPPC Manual 2 – Local Candidates
Email Advice from FPPC  or Phone: 1-866-275-3772

The FPPC also offers a useful Candidate Toolkit .