Candidate Resources (2020)
Information on Running for Elective Offices
Prospective Candidates
The nomination period for this election is from July 13 to August 6, 2020 (or to August 12, 2020, if an incumbent of the seat does not file nomination documents). For write-in candidates, the nomination period is September 7 through October 20, 2020.
To make an in-person appointment to be issued or to submit nomination papers, please call the City Clerk's Office at (909) 625-9416 or email cityclerk@cityofmontclair.org. Appointments must be requested at least one day in advance (Monday appointments can be requested on the prior Thursday). When requesting an appointment, you will need to provide your full name and residential address (for eligibility verification), and the name(s) of those who will be attending the appointment (maximum of two individuals due to social distancing requirements). If a prospective candidate would like to have someone else be issued nomination documents on their behalf, that person must bring a statement, signed by the prospective candidate, authorizing them to do so on your behalf.
COVID-19 Protocols: Issuing Nomination Documents
While the City of Montclair is closed to the public, the public may conduct in-person business on an appointment basis for certain services. While the public health emergency is in place, the City has developed procedures for members of the public who come to City Hall for an appointment. If City Hall is closed to the public, when arriving at City Hall for your appointment, please call the City Clerk's Office at (909) 625-9416 and wait to be let in. If City Hall is open to the public, check in at the front desk at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment time.
Several requirements and measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of staff and the public when doing in-person business. All individuals inside City Hall must wear a face covering at all times and maintain a distance of at least six feet from others when not separated by a physical barrier. The City Clerk's desk has been furnished with a plexiglass divider with a small opening for passing documents, and the desk and seating area will be disinfected before and after each appointment. Hand sanitizer is available in the lobby and in the City Clerk's Office. Please bring your own pen for filling out and signing documents.
Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, the Secretary of State has allowed for candidates to be issued and to submit their nomination documents remotely (with the exception of the Nomination Petition). Those who would like to utilize this option must fill out the Candidate Guidance and Acknowledgment for Electronic Issuance of Candidate Documents and submit the document via email or U.S. Mail to the City Clerk. The City Clerk will not issue nomination documents electronically or remotely until this document has been received via email (scanned in PDF format) or U.S. Mail. If submitted via email, the original signed document must be received by the City Clerk along with other original nomination documents required to be submitted before the nomination filing deadline. If you have questions about this option, please call the City Clerk's Office at (909) 625-9416.
If you are feeling sick or running a temperature on the day of your appointment or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 30 days, please do not show up to your appointment and instead call to reschedule or request a remote appointment. As noted above, nomination documents can be issued to you by the City Clerk via email and U.S. Mail.
COVID-19 Protocols: Filing Nomination Documents
Those who do not wish to make an in-person appointment to file their nomination documents due to health concerns can contact the City Clerk to schedule an appointment for a remote meeting to complete the nomination filing process and mail in or drop off their nomination documents. Please request such appointments at least one business day in advance (Monday appointments may be requested on the prior Thursday). Keep in mind the physical documents must be in the City Clerk's possession by the close of the nomination period.
Appointment Time Slots (both in-person and remote)
In order to reduce crowding and allow for time for cleaning and sanitizing between appointments, the following time slots are available for the issuance or filing of nomination documents:
Mondays - Thursdays
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Please call the City Clerk at (909) 625-9416 to request an appointment.
Resources for Candidates
Candidate's Handbook
The Candidate Handbook for 2020 General Municipal Election is an easy-to-use handbook that contains copies of all nomination documents, FPPC forms, summaries and full text of campaign laws and regulations, and other information that a candidate may find useful when running or deciding whether to run for an open seat on the Montclair City Council. The forms in the handbook are only samples - only forms issued by the City Clerk's Office may be used when filing for candidacy.
Candidates may purchase a hard copy of the handbook at a cost of $35, which is calculated based on the City's Master User Fee Schedule. All documents contained in the handbook will be provided to candidates on a USB flash drive in PDF format (except for the nomination paper) free of charge; however, many find it useful to have the physical handbook for quick reference and note-taking.
County of San Bernardino Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters
The City of Montclair consolidates its elections with the County of San Bernardino Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters . The Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters provides information on election dates, registered voters, and campaign finance training seminars. The ROV also provides products and services to campaigns like voter district maps and registration reports. Order forms can be downloaded from the County's website.
Fair Political Practices Commission
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regulates and enforces political campaign finances to ensure transparency and ethically sound elections. Candidates and campaign treasurers can download forms and manuals as well as access training opportunities and webinars through the FPPC website.
Important FPPC Documents for Candidates and Political Action Committees
These forms and manuals are updated periodically; therefore, it is recommended to download the most current document for each filing and election period.
- Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) - Required to be filed by all candidates as part of the nomination packet. This form can be completed and submitted online at Netfile.com/Filer after nomination papers are pulled and the City Clerk has created a new filer account in the system. Once a candidate is set up in the system, they will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to file electronically.
- Campaign Manual 2 - Information for Local Candidates, their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for Local Candidates. All candidates and their treasurers should refer to Manual 2 regarding campaign financial reporting and ethical campaign practices.
- Committee Campaign Statement Forms - Review information on committee campaign statement forms, which are required to be filed periodically throughout the election (most commonly used for Municipal Elections are the Forms 410, 460, 470, 496, 497, and 501). Refer to the forms and Manual 2 for instructions and deadlines. These forms can also be completed and submitted online at Netfile.com/Filer.
Filing FPPC Documents Online with NetFile
Most FPPC forms can be filed directly with the City Clerk using the NetFile online filer portal. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (909) 625-9416 or email cityclerk@cityofmontclair.org if you are interested and have not yet filed online so your filer account can be set up. NetFile also offers free web or telephone training for all online filers. More information can be found below.