Candidate Information and How to Run for City Council

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How to Run for City Council

Information Regarding Running for Office

Candidate Orientation Session

Are you contemplating running for a Longmont City Council seat in a future election?

A Candidate Orientation Session is held in odd numbered years in June. Please check back in Spring 2025 for information about the date for the session.

Candidate Eligibility for Longmont City Council

Must be a citizen of the United States of America
Must be 21 years of age or older
Must be a qualified elector for at least a year
Must have resided in the City of Longmont for one-year immediately preceding the election date
Must reside within the ward applying for, if elected for a Ward seat

Running for Office

The next election will be a Regular Municipal Election on November 4, 2025.

The following Longmont City Council seats will be up for election in 2025:

Mayor (2 year term), Mayor Joan Peck is not term limited and could run again
Ward 2 (4 year term), Councilmember Marcia Martin is term limited
At Large (4 year term), Councilmember Shiquita Yarbrough is not term limited and could run again
At Large (4 year term), Councilmember Aren Rodriguez is term limited

How to Become a Candidate

Before you run for office, please read the 2023 Longmont Candidate Guide and the CML Candidate Guide (pdf, 8MB).

Step 1. File a Candidate Affidavit. Eligible candidates who are interested in running for election to a vacant City Council seat must file a Candidate Affidavit within ten (10) days of announcing their candidacy publicly.
Step 2. Attend Candidate Orientation Session - sign up to let us know you would be interested in attending! We will let you know if a session is scheduled.
Step 3. Circulate Nomination Petitions Aug. 8-28, 2023. In order to be on the ballot, candidates must become Certified Candidates by circulating a Nomination Petition. Nomination Petitions may only be circulated during the time frame designated below, must contain the appropriate number of signatures for the particular seat, and be signed by Longmont residents who are registered to vote, and who reside within the specific Ward, if for a Ward seat.
- Required petition signature numbers:
  - Candidates for At-Large positions (including Mayor) must have petitions signed by not fewer than fifty (50) qualified electors.
  - Candidates for Ward positions must have petitions signed by not fewer than twenty-five (25) qualified electors from the Ward in which the candidate is seeking election.
- First day to begin circulating Nomination Petitions: August 8, 2023
- Nomination Petitions due to City Clerk: August 28, 2023 by 5 p.m.
Step 4. Form a Candidate Committee. Most candidates also form a Candidate Committee in order to accept donations to their campaign by filing a Candidate Committee Statement of Organization. Learn more about Candidate Committees, forms, and requirements under the Longmont Fair Campaign Practices Act.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL: All election signs, flyers, and materials of any sort must bear statements indicating who the materials were paid for by and who they were authorized by. This statement must be featured prominently and be obviously visible and legible.

The following statements are acceptable disclosures on electioneering communications:

"Paid for and authorized by (insert name/committee)"
"Paid for by and authorized by (insert name/committee)"
"Paid for by (insert name/committee) and authorized by (insert name/committee)"

Candidate Forms

2023 Longmont Candidate Guide
Nomination Petition
Candidate Affidavit (file within 10 days of publicly announcing your candidacy)
Candidate Intent to be Write-In Candidate (deadline to file: )
Candidate Certificate of Withdrawal
Candidate Committee Statement of Organization (file before taking any contributions)
Campaign Reporting forms can be found on the Fair Campaign Practices Act webpage
Election Ward Map (pdf, 604KB)

Candidate Filings and Reports of Contributions and Expenditures

Anyone spending money to support or oppose a candidate or issue placed on the ballot for the City of Longmont must comply with the Longmont Fair Campaign Practices Act (LFCPA).

All reports and information about how the requirements of the LFCPA and along with forms that can be downloaded can be found on the Fair Campaign Practices Act page.
For detailed instructions about how to view reports and records filed during the current or past election cycle, please see our Candidate and Committee Reports and Records page.

Sign Guidelines for Candidates

Campaign season means lots of signs everywhere! What is allowed and what is not allowed in the City of Longmont is detailed in this easy-to-read Sign guideline document.

Please contact the City Clerk's office at (303) 651-8649 if you have questions or need assistance.

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