General Election Information

The City Clerk is the local elections administrator for the City's General Municipal Election.  The City Clerk's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: the preparation of necessary resolutions calling General or Special Municipal Elections; the coordination of the candidate nomination process; ballot designation and statement of qualification; the receipt and processing of initiative, referendum, and recall petitions; and the certification of election results.

In order to vote in an election, you must be a registered voter. Voter Registration Forms and other information can be obtained through any of the following means:

• The Manhattan Beach City Clerk's Office:
  • 1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA  90266
  • Call (310) 802-5056  
• The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk:
  • Call (800) 481-8683
  • Register to Vote - Online Application   
• The California Secretary of State:
  • Call (800) 345-8683

Oath of Office
Below is the Oath of Office that is administered to all elected officials:

I,____________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.

General Candidate Requirements
Any citizen in the City of Manhattan Beach may run for public office if the following general requirements are met:

• a citizen of the United States
• a legal resident and registered voter of the City of Manhattan Beach
• 18 years old or older on Election Day
• not under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• and not serving a court sentence for a felony or election law violation

More specific qualifications and filing deadlines to run for a particular office vary. Citizens who desire to run for public office that meet these general qualifications should contact the City Clerk’s office at mbvote@manhattanbeach.gov OR call (310) 802-5056 - Monday-Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Campaigning and Campaign Contribution Limits

On January 16, 2024, the City Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance No. 24-0002-U (PDF) in order to prohibit the use of City resources for campaign activity, restricting political activity in and on City facilities within 90 days of an election, adjusting the campaign contribution limit to $250.00, and making the campaign finance provisions and definitions consistent with changes in state law.

At the July 5, 2022 Regular City Council meeting, three Councilmember's requested to agendize a discussion to revisit the City's regulations on political activity and the use of City facilities for campaign activity. Further discussions were held at the following Regular City Council Meetings:

August 2, 2022 - Agenda (Item No. 11)
August 2, 2022 - Minutes

August 16, 2022 - Agenda (Item No. 7)
August 16, 2022 - Minutes

Candidate Forum Events:

1. City Council Candidate Forum
   Hosted by The Downtown Manhattan Beach Business & Professional Association
   Date: Monday, October 14, 2024
   Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
   Location: Courtyard of Shade Hotel
2. Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Forum
   Sponsored by MB News, MB Chamber of Commerce, and the League of Women Voters of the Beach Cities
   Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
   Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
   Location: Small Theater at Mira Costa High School