Candidate Information

Elections & Voter Information

The City of Milpitas is a General Law City with a Council-City Manager form of government. The City Council is made up of four councilmembers and one Mayor all elected at-large. Two Councilmember seats and one Mayoral seat are to be voted on every two years each November in even numbered years. Councilmembers are elected for a 4-year term and the Mayor is elected to a 2-year term.

Eligibility & Candidacy

To be eligible to run for office, a candidate must:

  • Be a resident and registered voter in the City of Milpitas city limits by the last day for filing of nomination papers.  
  • Gather a minimum of twenty valid signatures from registered Milpitas voters on the nomination form supplied by the City Clerk.

You must schedule an appointment with the City Clerk to be issued nomination papers, and a second appointment to file the completed paperwork.

Campaign Disclosure Forms

Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Informational links:

Any candidate who wishes to begin fundraising must complete and submit a Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement (PDF), before soliciting and receiving any contributions for their candidacy. This form is filed with the City Clerk.

All candidates that have filed FPPC Form 501 and the Candidate Intention Statement, are listed in the order that form was received. Please note, a Candidate does not qualify for the ballot until Nomination Papers have been filed with the City Clerk and signatures have been verified as sufficient.

The Form 410 – Statement of Organization (PDF) must be submitted to the Secretary of State, along with a $50 fee, once a candidate receives contributions (including loans) that total $2,000 or more in a calendar year. A copy must be filed with the City Clerk. The Form 410 may be submitted before reaching the $2,000 threshold for qualifying as a committee. After the Secretary of State receives the Form 410 and payment for the Campaign Committee Fee, the committee’s identification number will be posted on the California Secretary of State Website.

Based on an established schedule, candidates must file statements reporting all campaign contributions and expenditures for the designated time period. These reports are available online and in the City Clerk’s Office for public review.

Additionally, Candidates must also disclose their economic interests to qualify for the ballot. A Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest (PDF) is due when the nomination papers are submitted and is filed electronically.