Frequently Asked Questions

July 13  to August 7 – NOMINATION PERIOD

Candidates may come to the City Clerk’s office to pick up their nomination papers and file other election documents during business hours as posted.

August 8 to August 12 – EXTENDED FILING PERIOD

Filing is extended if an incumbent is eligible to file for re-election and fails to do so by the 5:00 pm deadline on August 7, 2026. Incumbents are not eligible to file during the extended filing period. 

August 13 – RANDOMIZED ALPHABET DRAWING

Secretary of State conducts a random drawing to determine the order of the names displayed on the ballot.

August 8 to August 17 – PUBLIC EXAMINATION PERIOD

Public review period for candidate statements and ballot designations.

• NOTE: The public may view nomination papers but may not copy or distribute copies of this document that obtains the signatures of voters. (Elections Code Section 17100)

November 5 – ELECTION DAY

 December 2026 – CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Any person who is 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States or naturalized citizen can register to vote by filling out an Affidavit of Registration or registering online HERE; Check the Registrar of Voters website for further information.  Registration forms are available at the following locations:

County of Orange

Registrar of Voters Office

1300 South Grand Avenue

Santa Ana, California

City Clerk’s Office

Fountain Valley City Hall

10200 Slater Ave

Fountain Valley, California

The City Clerk serves as the elections official for the City of Fountain Valley and works with the Orange County Registrar of Voters to conduct elections for the City of Fountain Valley.  The City Clerk  advises candidates about procedures; accepts and maintains campaign finance disclosure statements; provides voter registration forms; and provides maps and instruction manuals to candidates.  The Registrar of Voters prints the ballots and voter pamphlet, trains poll workers, administers elections at the polls, counts the ballots, and certifies the election results. The City Council approves the election results and the City Clerk swears in the new Councilmembers and the Mayor.

To become a candidate in the next City election, you must be a registered voter and reside within the city limits of Fountain Valley.  Nomination papers and other candidate forms are only available during regular business hours, as posted, by appointment. The official filing period begins 113 days prior to Election Day and ends not later than the 88th day prior to the election. The Election Calendar is available for review on the City’s website.

Contact the City Clerk, Rick Miller at (714) 593-4445 or email at rick.miller@fountainvalley.gov

The Nomination Period is a term used when people can come to the City Clerk and get their official paperwork to run for city council.

 The Nomination Period opens on July 13, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.  As City Hall is Closed Every Friday, if you need to meet with the City Clerk on Friday August 7, 2026, you will need to make an appointment.  The required forms will only be available during that time and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Nomination Petition (must be signed by at least 20, but not more than 30, registered voters from within the City of Fountain Valley);
•  Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement; and
• Campaign Finance Disclosure Statements.

The mission of the Fair Political Practices Commission is to promote the integrity of state and local government in California through fair, impartial interpretation and enforcement of political campaign, lobbying and conflict of interest laws.

There are many filing’s that are required once you decide to run for office and the FPPC provides all these forms.  

For more information, visit HERE.

Sign Policy 2026