City Council

Walnut Creek City Councilmembers are elected at large to staggered four-year terms. The City of Walnut Creek consolidates its General Municipal Election with the statewide election held in even-numbered years. 

Upcoming Elections

Walnut Creeks' next regularly-scheduled election will be held in November 5, 2024. At this election, Walnut Creeks' voters will elect three City Councilmembers. The nomination period closes August 9 unless an incumbent does not file, then the period is extended to Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

If you are interested in running for office please call City Clerk Suzie Martinez at 925.943.5819 to schedule an appointment to pull nomination papers. The City Clerk will walk potential candidates through the election process and provide materials at this meeting. Appointments last approximately 1 hour.

Running for Office / Candidate Qualifications

If you are interested in running for public office in the City of Walnut Creek, you must meet the following requirements: must be

(1) an elector of the city when he or she assumes office; and
(2) a registered voter of the City when nomination papers are issued (Government Code § 36502).

An “elector” is a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older and a resident of the election precinct at least 15 days prior to an election (Elections Code § 321).

For questions about the 2024 election, please contact City Clerk Suzie Martinez at (925) 943-5819.

Voter Registration

A person, 18 years of age or older and not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony, may register to vote at anytime; however, registration for a specific election closes 15 days prior to that election. Registration is permanent and a new affidavit of registration need only be executed if you have changed your name, address or wish to change your political party affiliation. Voter registration forms can be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office, the Contra Costa County Election Division, online through the California Secretary of State or by calling the City Clerk’s Office to have a form mailed to you.  

For your convenience, an on-line voter registration application is available via the Secretary of State.

Walnut Creek has 49,418 registered voters as of February 22, 2024. Voter Registration statistics are updated by the Secretary of State's Office quarterly.

Notice of Election (EC 10224.5, SB 386 effective January 1, 2024)

No later than three days before the deadline for submission of nomination papers (August 9th, 2024) for a municipal election, the city elections official shall post on the city's internet website, or publish a public notice that includes the following: 

(a) A list of the offices to be filled: Councilmember, 3 seats.

(b) Whether the city elections official has furnished nomination papers to the incumbent for each open office: Two incumbents have been furnished nomination papers.

(c) Whether, due to redistricting, there is no eligible incumbent for an open office - n/a

(d) The location where nomination papers may be obtained: Walnut Creek City Hall, City Clerk’s Office, 1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA  94596

(e) The location, dates, and hours of operation of the office where completed nomination papers may be filed.

•  Individuals interested in running for City Council must make an appointment to pull papers and receive more information during the nomination period. The nomination period for this election is JULY 15, 2024 - AUGUST 9, 2024.

• If nomination papers for an incumbent officer of the City are not filed by FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024, 2024 (the 88th day before the election), the voters shall have until the 83rd day before the election, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, to nominate candidates other than the person who is the incumbents on the 88th day before the election, for that incumbent’s elective office. 
• All forms and nomination documents are available in the City Clerk's Office (Mon-Fri, 8am - 5pm). Only the official forms prepared or issued by the City Clerk may be used. To schedule an appointment, please email smartinez@walnut-creek.org or contact the City Clerk  at (925) 943-5818. Candidates will be given both oral and written instructions on the procedures to complete the nomination process at the time they pull papers.