Election Information

The City Clerk is the City Elections Official and is responsible for administering the City's general municipal elections and special elections for both candidates and measures; processing petitions relating to initiatives, recalls and referendums.

The City Clerk prepares the Candidates Nomination Packet, administers the candidacy and nomination process, informs candidates of their election responsibilities and disclosure requirements, publishes election notices, responds to election questions, prepares the resolution for canvass and certification of the results, conducts the City Oath of Office for elected officials.

The City of Albany holds its general municipal election every two years in November of even numbered years. The next general municipal election will be held on November 3, 2026.

To hold an elective office in the City of Albany, a person must be

  • A United States citizen
  • An elector of the City
  • A resident of the City for thirty-days (30) preceding nomination

Visit our General Municipal Election 2026 page (when available) for more information on Nomination Period and the 2026 General Municipal Election including the 2026 Election Calendar, voter registration, and voting updates.

How to Get Started

  • Review the Basic Steps In Running for Office(PDF, 214KB)
  • Additional reference information is provided in the City's Guide to Nomination and Candidacy(PDF, 125KB)
  • Note important dates on the 2026 Election Calendar
  • During the Nomination Period, which is 113 – 88 days before the election, obtain required forms by appointment only from the City Clerk's Office. You must obtain the signatures of at least 20 but not more than 30 registered voters in the City of Albany.
  • There are a number of additional forms required as part of candidacy. Please check with the City Clerk during the nomination period to obtain a nomination packet with all required submittals.
  • It is also recommended that prospective candidates get involved in City government by:
    • Attending City Council Meetings on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. Albany City Council meetings are conducted in person at City Hall Council Chambers, 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany. As a courtesy, and technology permitting, members of the public may continue to participate virtually. However, the City cannot guarantee that the public’s access to teleconferencing technology will be uninterrupted, and technical difficulties may occur from time to time. Unless required by the Brown Act, City Council meetings will continue despite technical difficulties for participants using the teleconferencing option. Check meeting agendas for instruction on how to join Zoom webinars for City Council meetings or other Advisory Body meetings. Upcoming and archived public meeting agendas and videos are available on the Meetings & Agendas web page.
    • Watching live meetings broadcast or archived City meeting videos on Meetings & Agendas or YouTube playlist (www.youtube.com/albanykalb)
    • Reading the City Council Agenda and Staff Reports, available at the City's website
    • Getting appointed to a City Advisory Body

Ballot Measures - Historical

The following provides a history of City Measures & Charter Amendments since 1990: City Measures & Charter Amendments(PDF, 92KB)

Related Information

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