Elections

The City has a City Council/City Manager form of local government. General Municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday of November in even-numbered years. The Mayor is elected at-large by the entire City for a four year term. Council members are elected by district, by the residents within their respective district, for four-year overlapping terms. A Council member of each district must live in that district and must be a registered voter in that district to be eligible to hold the office of Council member for that district, and a candidate for any district must live in that district and must be a registered voter in that district to be eligible to run for the office of Council member for that district. Only voters who live in a district shall be eligible to vote in the election for Council member of that district.  The Mayor is elected by the voters of the City at-large, and must reside within the City boundaries.

Local Election Official 

The City Clerk serves as the local elections official and coordinates with the County of Stanislaus in conducting Municipal Elections. Duties of the Elections Official include preparation of necessary resolutions calling for General and Special Municipal Elections and declaring elections results; coordination of the candidate nomination process and receipt and processing of initiative, referendum and recall petitions.

Upcoming Election

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

General Municipal Election

The purpose of this election is for qualified voters city-wide of Ceres to elect their representative for Mayor and City Treasurer.  Additionally, qualified voters in District 3 and District 4 are to elect their representative for Councilmember District 3 and Councilmember District 4 to serve a four-year term, each.

Nomination Period

*Extended Nomination Period will occur if an incumbent of the office seat does not file candidacy nomination papers by the close of the nomination period on August 12, 2022.  Only qualified voters of the District may file nomination papers during this extended period.  Incumbents are not eligible to file papers during the extended period.

It is recommended that individuals interested in becoming a City Council candidate contact the City Clerk's Office at (209) 538-5731 or cityclerk@ci.ceres.ca.us for more information.