The San Fernando City Council voted to consolidate the city’s municipal election with the 2024 statewide general election, which is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. San Fernando voters will have the opportunity to elect two candidates to serve full four-year terms on the city council.
The estimated cost to consolidate the election will be $56,805, according to the city clerk.
“Since 2018, the City of San Fernando has consolidated our municipal elections with the statewide election to comply with the California Voter Participation Rights Act,” said Mayor Celeste Rodriguez. “It is a priority to ensure every eligible voter residing in our city can make their voices heard.”
Two of the five San Fernando City Council seats will be on the ballot in November. Rodriguez, whose term ends this fall, stated she is not running again and is instead pursuing higher office. The current term of the newest council member, Victoria Garcia, also ends this fall, but she has not indicated whether she will run again for the local seat. She was elected to the council for the first time in a special election in March to fill the seat of the late Cindy Montañez, who passed away last fall.
Both Rodriguez and Garcia are seeking the California State Assembly seat currently held by Luz Rivas, who represents the 43rd district. Rivas is currently campaigning for the House seat now held by Rep. Tony Cárdenas, who announced his planned retirement last year.
According to the LA County Registrar, candidates do have the option of running for both the City Council and the State Assembly concurrently.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with voters – as a mother, local mayor and lifetime resident of the northeast Valley – about our needs from the state,” said Rodriguez about running for State Assembly. “I am focused on campaigning to earn every vote this November.”
Individuals interested in running for the two San Fernando City Council seats can contact the city clerk’s office beginning on July 15 to obtain information about pulling nomination papers. Potential candidates must obtain 20 valid signatures from registered voters.
The official nomination period will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. If nomination documents for an incumbent councilmember are not filed by that date, the nomination period will be extended until Aug. 14 for individuals other than the incumbent.
For more information, call (818) 898-1204 or visit the city’s election page at www.sfcity.org/elections.