The Town of Yucca Valley is a general law city governed by a five-member Town Council. Each Council Member is elected by the registered voters within their respective district for a four (4) year term.

Municipal elections are conducted by district, with Districts 1, 3, and 5 on the ballot in one election cycle, followed by Districts 2 and 4 in the next. Elections are held in even-numbered years in coordination with San Bernardino County.

The positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are ceremonial and are not directly elected. Each year, the Town Council selects the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from among its members.

The Town Clerk’s Office serves as the local elections official and administers candidate filing, coordinates with the County Registrar of Voters, and provides election-related information to the public.

To participate in local, state, and federal elections, you must be registered to vote. Voter registration is handled by the California Secretary of State and San Bernardino County.

Here you can:

• Register to Vote
• Check your voter registration status
• Update your name, address, or political party
• Access best practices and guidelines provided by The CA Fair Political Practices Commission

Find election information quickly and easily at https://www.sbcountyelections.com/ or call the CA Secretary of State's Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) 

Town Council Members are elected by district, meaning you vote only for the candidate representing the district in which you reside.

To find your district:

• Use the interactive district map, or
• Contact the Town Clerk’s Office for assistance

Knowing your district helps you stay informed about who represents you and which seats are up for election.

Serving on the Town Council is an opportunity to represent your community, participate in local decision-making, and help shape the future of the Town of Yucca Valley. While becoming a Council Member begins with the nomination and election process, it is also a commitment that extends beyond the campaign.

Council Members serve in a public role and should be prepared for the responsibilities that come with elected office, including attending meetings, reviewing agenda materials, engaging with residents, and making decisions that impact the community. Candidates should also be aware that running for office includes requirements such as completing nomination documents, complying with campaign disclosure requirements, avoiding real or perceived conflicts of interest, and maintaining transparency throughout the process.

Public service is a rewarding experience, but it also requires time, dedication, and a willingness to serve the community in the public eye.

Candidates interested in running for Town Council must schedule an appointment with the Town Clerk’s Office to be issued nomination papers. Appointments may be requested by emailing townclerk@yucca-valley.org or by contacting the Town Clerk’s Office. Appointments are approximately 30–45 minutes. Nomination papers are not available online and must be issued in person. During the issuance appointment, candidates will also schedule an appointment to return and file their completed nomination papers.

To run for Town Council, a candidate must be at least 18 years of age, be a registered voter of the district from which they are running at the time nomination papers are issued, and have no felony convictions related to public monies pursuant to Elections Code Section 20. 

The nomination filing fee is $25. Fees associated with candidate statements are established by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters prior to the opening of the nomination period and will be provided to candidates during the issuance appointment.

Candidates should also be aware of campaign finance and disclosure requirements. Information regarding candidate committees, campaign filings, and responsibilities before, during, and after an election is available through the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Candidate Toolkit.

Candidates interested in running for Town Council must complete and submit required election-related documents during the nomination period and throughout the election process. The Town Clerk’s Office provides candidates with the forms, instructions, and information needed to complete the filing requirements.

Nomination Papers and Supplemental Nomination Papers

Nomination papers are issued only by the Town Clerk’s Office during the designated nomination period and must be obtained during a scheduled appointment. Nomination papers are not available online.

To qualify as a candidate, nomination papers must be properly completed, submitted, and qualified by the close of the filing period. Candidates must obtain a minimum of 20 valid signatures from registered voters within the district they are seeking to represent. Nomination papers provide space for up to 30 signatures and addresses. Signatures must be collected by one circulator only.

If additional time is needed due to an incumbent not filing for re-election, supplemental nomination papers may be issued in accordance with the Elections Code.

Candidate Statement and Ballot Designation

Candidates may choose to submit a Candidate Statement of Qualifications for inclusion in voter materials. Candidate statements are optional and are limited to information regarding the candidate’s education, qualifications, and experience relevant to the office sought.

Candidate statements are limited to 200 words. The cost for candidate statements is established by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters prior to the opening of the nomination period.

Candidates must also complete a Ballot Designation Worksheet. The ballot designation identifies how a candidate’s name and occupation or other designation will appear on the ballot and must comply with Elections Code requirements.

Campaign Finance and Disclosure Requirements

Campaign finance and disclosure requirements are governed by the Political Reform Act (Government Code Sections 81000–91014) and are enforced by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

Candidates and elected officials are subject to public disclosure requirements, including:

• Campaign statements and disclosures
• Contributions received and expenditures made
• Financial interests
• Disclosure information included on campaign materials

Required campaign finance forms and instructions, including information regarding electronic filing requirements, will be provided to candidates when nomination papers are issued. Filing deadlines and additional requirements will be outlined in the Candidate Handbook.

Campaign disclosure requirements begin during the election process and may continue after election if the candidate is elected and remains subject to applicable filing requirements.

The Town Clerk’s Office is available to assist candidates with the filing process and provide information regarding required forms, deadlines, and election procedures. Candidates are encouraged to carefully review all requirements to ensure documents are completed and filed timely.

Key dates for the 2026 Municipal Election are provided below to assist candidates and the public in preparing for the election process.

• July 13 – August 7: Nomination Filing Period
• July 24: Town Hall Closed
• August 10 – August 12: Extended Filing Period (if no incumbent files for re-election)
• August 13: Secretary of State randomized alphabet drawing to determine ballot order
• TBD: Council Candidate Orientation
• October 5: County may begin mailing Vote-by-Mail ballots
• October 19: Last day to register to vote for the November election
• November 3: Election Day
• December 3: Deadline for County to certify election results
• December 15: Tentative Town Council meeting to swear in newly elected members

A political sign is defined as any sign that indicates the name and/or picture of an individual seeking election or appointment to a public office, or relates to a forthcoming public election or referendum.

The Town’s Development Code specifies several provisions with which each candidate must comply. A permit is required prior to the placement of political advertising signs within the Town of Yucca Valley. Candidates may view permit requirements and access the application on the Town’s Planning Application page.

Political signs shall be placed on private property only and with the consent of the property owner. Signs are not permitted on public property or within the public right-of-way, parkway, or other publicly owned land. Political signs shall not be nailed or otherwise affixed to any tree, fence post, or public utility pole.

Signs shall not be displayed more than forty-five (45) days prior to an election and must be removed within fifteen (15) days following the election. The maximum area of a political sign, excluding legally permitted billboards, shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in residential areas and thirty-two (32) square feet in all other zoning areas.

Temporary political signs shall not be erected within any street intersection, clear sight triangle, or in any location where the sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic control sign.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring all campaign signage complies with applicable regulations and for the timely removal of all signs following the election.

Election results are administered and reported by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters.

Links to official election results and past election information will be provided here as they become available.

Is there a fee involved in filing for office?

Yes. A $25 filing fee is required when nomination papers are returned. If a candidate chooses to submit an optional Candidate Statement of Qualifications, an estimated $150 fee is required. The fee amount is established by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters and must be submitted at the time nomination papers are filed, in accordance with the instructions provided during the filing process.

What happens if I change my mind about running for office after filing nomination papers?

A candidate may withdraw their candidacy at any time before the close of the nomination period. After the nomination period closes, a candidate may not withdraw, and their name will appear on the ballot if they have qualified.

What happens if some of the signatures on my nomination papers are not from registered voters in my district?

Signatures that do not meet the requirements will not be counted. Candidates are encouraged to submit nomination papers as early as possible to allow time for signatures to be reviewed and certified by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters. If nomination papers are submitted on the final day of the filing period and signatures are determined to be insufficient, there may not be enough time to correct the issue before the filing deadline.

May I change or correct the wording or spelling on my Candidate Statement after it has been submitted?

No. Candidate Statements are printed exactly as submitted. Candidates should carefully review their statement for accuracy, spelling, and formatting before submission.

If I submit an optional Candidate Statement and change my mind, may I withdraw the statement?

A Candidate Statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the nomination period and until 5:00 p.m. on the next working day after the close of the nomination period.

How many words can my Candidate Statement include?

A Candidate Statement is limited to no more than 200 words and must be limited to the candidate’s education and qualifications for the office sought.  Candidate Statements must comply with the requirements of the California Elections Code.