City Elections

The Clerk of the Council serves as the elections official and is responsible for all candidate filings, the issuance and acceptance of nomination papers, City measures, and publication of all legal notices as well as campaign and conflict of interest filings required by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

The City Council is made up of a Mayor and six Councilmembers, for a total of seven members. City Councilmembers are nominated by their respective wards and the Mayor seat is nominated at-large. The offices of Mayor and City Council are non-partisan.

The Mayor serves a term of two years, with a maximum of four consecutive terms. While, Councilmembers each serve a four-year term, with a maximum of three consecutive four-year terms.  

Pursuant to Resolution No. 2020-041, to be eligible to be elected to the office of Councilmember, a person must be a registered voter and provide proof of residency no less than thirty (30) days in the Ward from which the candidate is nominated prior to issuing the nomination papers. To be eligible to be elected to the office of Mayor, a person must be a registered voter and provide proof of residency no less than thirty (30) days in the City of Santa Ana.

Election Information

Election History

• Election Results – Mayor and City Council (1886-2020)
• Election Results – Measures and Charter Amendments (1886-2018)

Campaign Finance

• Search Campaign Contribution Filings (2012 to present)
• Fair Political Practices Commission Forms and Deadlines
• City of Santa Ana - Campaign Contribution Limits
• Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
  The FPPC is the State agency that enforces State laws regarding, among other things, campaign financing and spending, financial conflicts of interest, and gifts and honoraria given to public officials and candidates under the Political Reform Act. The FPPC provides written and oral advice to public agencies, candidates, and officials on the requirements of the Political Reform Act. The FPPC’s Advice Line can be reached at 1-866-ASK-FPPC (1-866-275-3772) or email at advice@fppc.ca.gov

Proof of Residency for Current Council

• Councilmember Bacerra
• Councilmember Hernandez
• Councilmember Lopez
• Councilmember Mendoza
• Councilmember Phan
• Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza
• Mayor Sarmiento

Voter Registration

• Register to Vote (On-line form)
• Update My Voter Registration Information
• Check My Registration
• Voting Centers (Voting Options)
• County of Orange Registrar of Voters
  The Registrar of Voters (ROV) is the County Elections Official and the office conducts all Federal, State, County, Municipal, School District, and Special District scheduled and special elections. The ROV Office is also responsible for voter registration, education and outreach, maintenance of registration files, verification of initiatives, referenda and recall petitions, and filing of campaign reports.

Other

• FAQs
• Request to Withdraw Name from Petition