The City of Westminster is a general law city consisting of four districts and one Mayor's seat (at large). The next general municipal election for the City of Westminster will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Mayor's seat and two Council seats - Districts 1 and 4, and a ballot measure.  The Mayor seat, as well as Districts 1 and 4 will be for a four-year term.

NOMINATION PERIOD: 

The nomination period for the November 2026 election opens on Monday, July 13, 2026 and closes on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.*  Please call the City Clerk's Office at (714) 548-3237 or email CityClerkCSR@westminster-ca.gov to schedule an appointment for issuance of the Candidate Packet and Nomination Papers during the nomination period and posted business hours. 

*EXTENDED NOMINATION PERIOD - If nomination papers for an incumbent officer of the city are not filed by Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. then the nomination period for that incumbents' elective office only is extended for five days, to Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Incumbents are not allowed to file during the extended filing period.

 HOW DO I QUALIFY TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE?

• Be a registered voter at your current residence in the City of Westminster
• Reside in the district in which you are running for
  • District 1; or
  • District 4
  • Click here to add your address to determine which district you live in. 
• A citizen of the United States
• 18 years of age or older 
• Not disqualified from holding office by the Constitution or laws of the State of California

Pre-Nomination Period Activities. Prior to soliciting or receiving any contributions related to your candidacy, you must file a Statement of Intention (FPPC Form 501) with the City Clerk's Office. There are additional filing requirements dependent on the amount of contributions anticipated to be received. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at 714-548-3237, if you are planning on soliciting contributions prior to the official filing/nomination period. 

Any questions specifically on campaign disclosure forms, please contact the FPPC directly at advice@fppc.ca.gov or 1-866-275-3772 *1.

How do I become a Write-In Candidate for Westminster City Council? 

Qualifications for Write-In Candidacy. To qualify as a write-in candidate for the Westminster City Council, you must reside and be registered to vote within the jurisdiction at the time nomination papers are issued and meet the qualifications noted above.  

Filing Requirements. To become a write-in candidate, you must first be issued Nomination Papers which specifies the office you are seeking. The Nomination Paper filing period for write-in candidates begins on Monday, September 7, 2026 and closes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

A Write-In Candidate's Handbook, including an Official Nomination Paper, Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700, Campaign Disclosure Forms, and other information concerning the election will be available by appointment only at the City Clerk's Office.

Please call the City Clerk's Office at (714) 548-3237 or email CityClerkCSR@westminster-ca.gov to schedule an appointment for issuance of the Candidate Packet and Nomination Papers for the write-in nomination period. 

Once you have filed the Nomination Papers, you may not make any changes to it. If you fail to qualify as a candidate, supplemental Nomination Papers can be issued to you, along with a photocopy of your nomination papers which will show which signatures are valid (verified by the Orange County Registrar of Voters). There is no extension of the deadline for supplemental nomination papers. Write-in candidates' names do not appear on the ballot or in the sample ballot pamphlet. 

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Candidate Status

The following table represents the status of individuals in relation to the November 3, 2026 election.

Register to Vote

To register to vote for the upcoming election, please contact the Orange County Registrar of Voters at (714) 567-7600 or register online at ocvote.gov or sos.gov.

Supporting Documents:

• Candidate Statements

• Notice TOT Ballot Measure

• Resolution No. 5357- Calling Election

• Resolution No. 5358- Consolidating

• Resolution No. 5359 - Candidate's Statements

• Notice of Election (English)

• Notice of Election (Spanish)

• Notice of Election  (Vietnamese)

• Notice of Election  (Korean)

• Notice of Election  (Chinese)