The Local General Municipal Election will be held on November 5, 2024. The election will include positions for Mayor and two City Councilmembers.

To hold a position, a candidate must be

• A citizen of the United States
• A legal resident and registered voter of the City of Hawthorne
• 18 years old or older on Election Day
• Not under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• Not serving a court sentence for a felony or election law violation

Citizens who desire to run for public office and meet these general qualifications should contact the City Clerk’s office at (310) 349-2915. The nomination period is from July 15, 2024, to August 9, 2024 at 5pm. If no incumbent files for an office, then the deadline is extended until August 14, 2024 at 5pm. An appointment is required during the nomination period.

Campaign Finance is regulated by the Political Reform Act of 1974 (as amended) and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). Manuals and forms are available May be found online at www.fppc.ca.gov. Any violations of the Act are prosecutable.

A Form 501 Notice of Intention must be filed with the City Clerk to indicate intent to run for the position. A Form 410 Statement of Organization (original) must be filed with the Secretary of State with a copy of the Form 410 filed with the City Clerk if raising or spending $2,000 or more for a candidacy (including the candidate’s own funds). An annual fee of $50 is required to maintain this committee.

A Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) requiring disclosure of investments and business activity in the city must be filed at the same time as nomination papers are filed. This information becomes a public record on file in the City Clerk’s office and may be viewed by the public.

Candidates should file a Form 501 BEFORE any campaigning begins.

The following link is to the Form 501

 https://fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/TAD/Campaign%20Forms/501.pdf

The Form 501 should be filed with the Hawthorne City Clerk’s Office before soliciting or receiving any contributions or before expenditures from personal funds on behalf of candidacy are made.

For more information on campaign rules visit

https://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/campaign-rules.html

 Under the Political Reform Act a candidate must include a disclosure on mass mailings and certain telephone calls advocating the candidate’s own election. In addition, radio and television advertisements require an “Ad paid for by” disclosure. The Act does not require a specific disclosure on other communications, such as billboards and yard signs, when they are paid for by a candidate-controlled committee in support of the candidate’s own campaign. However, the FPPC recommends placing “paid for by [committee name]” and the committee’s ID number on all public campaign materials

It is prohibited to post materials on Edison owned utility poles (California Penal Code 556.1 and 591)

Prior to placing signs on private property, candidates must obtain authorization from the owner of the property

The original Form 410 and one copy are filed with the Secretary of State within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more. Candidates for local office and committees formed to support or oppose candidates for local offices also must file a copy of the Form 410 with the City Clerk.

Voting In-Person / Vote Center Information

How to vote on the NEW Ballot Marking Device

Vote Center Tool

• Check Your Voter Registration Status
• Register to Vote
• First Time Voting This Election
• Find Nearest Vote Center
  • Vote Centers
  • Voting Drop Boxes
  • Flex Vote Centers - Link Coming Soon
• Interactive Sample Ballot
• Permanent Vote By Mail Application
• Track Vote-By-Mail Ballot
• Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder
• California Secretary of State
• California Elections Code

You may Register to Vote or pre-register to vote by completing a voter registration form available in most government offices including: city halls, libraries, DMVs and post offices. You may also drop by the Office of the City Clerk and pick up a form from us.

What are voter registration requirements?
A person entitled to vote shall be:

• A United States citizen
• A resident of California
• Not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony
• At least 18 years of age at the time of the next election (CA Elections Code Sec. 2101)
• A person entitled to preregister to vote in an election shall be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony (CA Elections Code Sec. 210)

What is the voter registration deadline to vote for an election?
You must register to vote 15 days before the election.

May I register to vote using my business address or a P.O. Box?
No. A person may only register to vote at place of residence. A business address or a P.O. Box number may only be used as a mailing address.