Lake Forest Needs Candidates: How To Run For City Council

LAKE FOREST, CA — The city of Lake Forest, district-based since 2018, will have two open seats for their city council in the November 3 General Election this year. After incumbent Council Members in Districts 1 and 5 failed to file nomination papers by the proper deadline, the city has put out a call for candidates.

The Lake Forest City Council is made up of five city council members that are nominated and elected by District, according to the city's website. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are selected by a vote of their peers annually at the first City Council meeting in December, to serve the following calendar year. The City Council members are non-partisan.

Each City Council member serves a four-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.

Currently, Mike James, Mayor Pro Tem, serving as an at-Large representative, is concluding his partial term of office in December.

Dwight Robinson, also serving as an At-Large representative, was elected to the Lake Forest City Council in 2012, and again in 2016. His term expires in November.

In order for a prospective council member to be eligible, they must be "a qualified voter and a resident of the District from which the candidate is nominated at the time Nomination Papers are issued as provided for in the Elections Code of the State of California."

District 1 candidates must reside with a primary residence within these borders.
District 5 candidates must reside with a primary residence within these borders.

The extension, announced by the city, is for non-incumbent candidates, only, they say. Candidates have until Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 5 p.m. to complete the nomination papers.

"Nomination papers are available in the City Clerk's Office," they said. They are available to pick up by appointment only, according to the city.

To set up an appointment, contact Lisa Burglund, Acting City Clerk, at 949-461-3422.

Click here for more information on Districts, including an interactive map where you can check your address to determine if you qualify for either district.