Elections

Local Government & the Democratic Process

Members of the City Council are elected at large to serve the entire community rather than by district. The mayor is directly elected to a two-year term and the four City Council members are elected to four-year staggered terms.

In November 1996, voters in Dublin established term limits which state generally that no one may serve more than eight consecutive years in any combination of positions on the City Council.

Candidate Requirements / Information

Anyone who is 18 years of age and who is a resident and registered voter in Dublin may run for a seat on the City Council.

In lieu of a filing fee, potential candidates are required to gather 20 signatures of registered Dublin voters on a supplied nomination form. Candidates who wish to have a statement of their qualifications published in the sample ballot, which goes to all registered voters, must pay their prorated share of the publishing / printing costs. This generally equals approximately $500 per candidate.

Note: Based on an established schedule, candidates must file statements reporting all campaign contributions and expenditures for the designated time period. Candidates cannot accept more than $500 in campaign contributions from a single source.
Dublin Municipal Code 2.28.030

FAQs

When am I eligible to vote?

You are eligible if you meet all of the following requirements:

A U.S. citizen
At least 18 years of age by Election Day
A resident of California
Registered at least 15 days before the election, or complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at the Alameda County Elections office or polling location.
Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
Not currently judged mentally incompetent by a court of law

How can I register to vote?

You can register online on the Secretary of State's website. You can also fill out the short Registration by Mail form. Sign the form and mail it. It's pre-addressed, and no stamp is required. Voter registration forms are available at the Registrar of Voters Office located in the Alameda County Courthouse: 1225 Fallon Street, Room G-1 Oakland, CA 94612 Forms are also available at all offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles, all city clerks offices, public libraries, and post offices. You may also call the Registrar of Voters at (510) 267-8683 or the Secretary of State at (800) 345-VOTE and request a registration form to be mailed to you.

Check if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use this online registration application to pre-register to vote.

For more information on registering to vote you may want to visit the Secretary of State's Frequently Asked Questions.

When is the deadline for registering to vote in California?

You can register at any time, but be sure to do it at least 15 days before the first election in which you want to vote.

If you are registering or re-registering less than 15 days before an election you will need to complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at the Alameda County Elections office or polling location.

Does it cost to register to vote?

No. Registration is free.

Am I registered to vote once I fill out and mail the registration form?

Check if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county.

Call the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office at (510) 272-6973 and ask if you are registered. You can't be sure you are registered until you receive a voter notification card from the County and sometimes their may be delays in receiving your notification. That's why it is a good idea to save the form's stub as a receipt. Call the ROV if the notification card does not arrive within three weeks.

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