Q. How many seats will be open for each position? A. There will be two (2) full-term seats for Member of City Council for four-year terms commencing December 16, 2024, and ending December 18, 2028.
Q. What are the eligibility requirements for becoming a candidate? A. Pursuant to Burbank Municipal Code Section 2-3-111, in order to run for an elective office in the City of Burbank, one must be 18 years of age, a resident of the City of Burbank, and a registered voter of the City (for at least 29 days prior to pulling Nomination Papers).
Q. How often does the City Council hold meetings? A. The City Council holds its regular meetings at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays of each week, unless a Dark Meeting has been declared. Periodically, there are Closed Session Meetings, Joint Meetings, additional Regular meetings, Special Meetings, Study Sessions, and Town Hall Meetings held on other days of the week, as necessary.
Q. Do City Council Members receive compensation? A. Pursuant to Government Code Section
36516, beginning March 3, 2024, the salary for each Council Member shall be $1,900 a month. Thereafter, the salaries shall be adjusted by ordinance of the City Council in an amount not to exceed the amount allowed for increase by Government Code Section 36516(a) and any amendments thereto.
City Council Members also receive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Q. When is the Nomination Filing Period? A. The opening of the Nomination Period begins on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., and runs through Friday, August 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. It is highly recommended to schedule an appointment to pull Nomination Papers during the Open Nomination Period. An appointment may be scheduled by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (818) 238-5851 or via email at
[email protected]. Papers may only be pulled or filed during normal business hours which are
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If an incumbent fails to file by Friday, August 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., the Nomination Period shall extend five (5) calendar days for non-incumbents to apply with a deadline of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., for that seat only.
Q. Who can sign a candidate’s Nomination Papers? A. Any person registered as a voter of the City of Burbank. No voter may sign more than one Nomination Paper for the same office. Each seat on City Council is a separate office. Therefore, a citizen may sign Nomination Papers for two different candidates (two Council Members). The Nomination Papers must contain at least 50 but no more than 100 signatures, and a minimum of 50 signatures must be verified for the nomination to be declared valid, pursuant to Burbank Municipal Code Sections 2-3-125 and 2-3-129.
Q. What happens if some of the signatures obtained on the Nomination Papers are from people who are not registered voters or do not live within the City limits? A. These signatures will not be counted. If unsure of signatures, Nomination Papers should be filed early so that the City Clerk’s Office may verify them and, if deemed insufficient, the candidate will have time to gather the remaining number of signatures needed prior to the close of the Nomination Period.
Q. When does a Candidate’s nomination become public? A. Candidates' names are public information from the time they submit their Nomination Papers or file a Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501). Nomination Papers, however, are not immediately available for public review. A complete list of qualified candidates will be available in the City Clerk’s Office and on the website the day following the close of the Nomination Period.
Q. What happens if a candidate changes their mind about running for office after filing Nomination Papers? A. Pursuant to Burbank Municipal Code Section 2-3-135, a candidate may withdraw at any time prior to the close of the nomination period. After that deadline date nothing can be withdrawn, and the candidate’s name will appear on the ballot.
Q. Can someone deliver a candidate’s Nomination Papers to the City Clerk’s Office for them? A. Yes. The candidate should be sure that all forms are properly completed. If there are any questions on any form or if they are not completed properly, their Nomination Papers may not be accepted.
Q. Is there a filing fee to run? A. Yes. There is a non-refundable $25 filing fee that is due and payable to the City of Burbank when the Candidate Handbook is issued to the Candidate, pursuant to Burbank Municipal Code Section 2-3-125.
Q. Is there a fee for the Candidate Statement? A. Yes. The City shall not provide a subsidy for the English-language Candidate Statement submitted to the City Clerk; candidates shall pay the full cost. The City will translate and print Candidate Statements in all languages mandated by the County of Los Angeles at no cost to the candidates. The total deposit required for the Candidate Statement is $1,400. Should the actual costs be less than this amount, a refund will be provided following the election. Moreover, if the costs exceed the amount estimated, the candidate will be invoiced for the difference following the election, pursuant to Burbank Municipal Code Section 2-3-143.
The Candidate Statement is to remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline (Elections Code Section 13311).
Q. Can candidates change or correct the wording or spelling on their Candidate Statement after submission? A. No, changes are not allowed once the City Clerk has accepted the Candidate Statement. Candidates should ensure their Statement is accurate and should check it carefully prior to submission. It will be printed exactly as submitted. The Statement must be provided by the candidate in hardcopy format including the candidate’s signature, and in a Microsoft Word document format emailed to the City Clerk at
[email protected]. The hardcopy and electronic copies must match exactly.
Q. If a Candidate submits a Candidate Statement and then changes their mind, can they withdraw the Statement? A. Yes, a Candidate Statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the Nomination Period (Elections Code Section 10224).
For more information or questions, please view the How to Run for City Office booklet or contact the City Clerk's Office at (818) 238-5851 or [email protected]. For Burbank Unified School District Elections, please call (818) 729-4422.
