SONOMA VALLEY, CA — When Sonoma residents vote in November, they will be seeing something new on their ballots and making choices they didn't have before — at least in three districts.
Residents in three of the Sonoma's districts will be voting for city council members.
The November election will mark Sonoma’s first City Council election under its new district-based system. Instead of voting for every council seat citywide, voters will elect council members who live in, and represent, specific geographic districts. Each voter will cast a ballot only for the City Council seat assigned to that voter’s district.
This year, voters in Districts 1, 3, and 5 will elect council representatives. Voters in Districts 2 and 4 will vote in 2028, creating a staggered election cycle for the five-member city council.
The candidate nomination period for districts 1, 3, and 5 opens July 13 for residents who want to run in the Nov. 3 general election.
The filing period closes Aug. 7. Candidates must be registered voters, and they must live in the district they seek to represent when the city issues their nomination papers.
The new system will not change how Sonoma selects its mayor. The City Council will continue to nominate and elect the mayor and vice mayor from among its members. Both will continue to serve the community at large.
Residents and prospective candidates can use the City Council Districts webpage to find their district, review district boundaries, and see when their district will vote. The webpage includes an online District Finder, interactive maps, and downloadable PDF maps for each district.
People interested in running for City Council should contact the City Clerk’s Office to schedule an appointment, obtain nomination materials, and review filing requirements. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 707-933-2216 or emailing elections@sonomacity.org.
The city will not endorse candidates, oppose candidates, or participate in campaigns.
More candidate and election information is available through the city’s elections webpage.
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