The nomination period for the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election opened on Monday, July 15, 2024 and closed on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

There are four Council seats open in 2024 for full terms (four years) commencing with the first Council meeting in January 2025. A Councilmember may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms and is eligible to run again after a two-year break. There are two incumbents, Emily Ann Ramos and Patricia Showalter, who are eligible to run for a second term. 

The final candidate filing status update can be found here.

The Voluntary Expenditure Limit for 2024 is $30,495.

Notices

Notice of Election

Notice of Offices and Nominations

Notice of Nominees and Measure

On June 25, 2024, the Mountain View City Council approved - by unanimous vote - the placement of a revenue measure on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election for voter consideration. A majority vote of the City's qualified voters is needed to approve the ballot measure. Provided below is the ballot language as it will appear on November 5, 2024: 

In California, counties and general law cities are authorized to impose a real property transfer tax under the Documentary Transfer Tax Act. A real property transfer tax is a tax paid on each deed or other recorded instrument transferring real property, such as the sale of real property. In Santa Clara County, all general law cities have a city rate of 0.55% per $500 and the county rate of 0.55% per $500 for a combined rate of $1.10 per $1,000. Mountain View, as a charter city, has authority under the State Constitution to impose a transfer tax that is not limited to the tax rate specified under the Documentary Transfer Tax Act.

In 1973, the City adopted a property transfer tax at the rate of one dollar and sixty-five cents ($1.65) for each five hundred dollars ($500) or less of the value of the consideration. This is codified in Article V of Chapter 29 of the Mountain View City Code. For comparative purposes, the tax is often referred to as $3.30 per $1,000.

The ballot measure is a “general tax” measure, which means if passed the revenues may be used for any general governmental purpose. The funds from a general tax are fully discretionary for use for any and all governmental purposes and must be deposited into the General Fund. A majority vote (50% + 1) of the electorate is required to impose, increase, or extend a general tax.

The Resolution submitting the measure to the voters included the proposed ordinance, which would put the measure into effect if passed. Both the Resolution and the Ordinance contain additional pertinent information associated with the measure. Please consult the Documents section below.

Documents

Argument Against (filed July 19, 2024)

Argument in Favor (filed July 19, 2024)

City Attorney's Impartial Analysis (filed July 19, 2024)

Rebuttal to Argument Against (filed July 29, 2024)

Rebuttal to Argument in Favor (filed July 29, 2024)

Resolution Calling Measure Election and Proposed Ordinance Text

Notices

Notice of Arguments Deadline

Notice of Election

Notice of Nominees and Measure

County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters

The Registrar of Voters (ROV) is the County Elections Official and the office conducts all Federal, State, County, Municipal, School District, and Special District scheduled and special elections.

The ROV Office is also responsible for the following:

• Voter registration, education, and outreach
• Maintenance of registration files
• Verification of initiatives, referenda and recall petitions
• Filing of campaign reports

Fair Political Practices Commission

The FPPC is the State agency that enforces State laws regarding, among other things, campaign financing and spending, financial conflicts of interest, and gifts and honoraria given to public officials and candidates under the Political Reform Act.

The FPPC provides written and oral advice to public agencies, candidates, and officials on the requirements of the Political Reform Act. The FPPC’s Advice Line can be reached at 1-866-ASK-FPPC (1-866-275-3772) or advice@fppc.ca.gov.

Secretary of State

The Elections Division oversees all federal and state elections within California. As the chief elections officer for the largest state in the nation, the California Secretary of State tests and certifies all voting equipment for security, accuracy, reliability, and accessibility in order to ensure that every vote is counted as it was cast.

The Secretary also ensures election laws and campaign disclosure requirements are enforced, maintains a statewide database of all registered voters, certifies the official lists of candidates for elections, tracks and certifies ballot initiatives, compiles election returns and certifies election results, educates California citizens about their voting rights, and promotes voter registration and participation.