Eligible voters in the City Council district covering the downtown and central Berkeley area should register by May 13. Use the City website to review campaign finance reports and candidate statements.
Eligible voters in District 4, which covers downtown and central Berkeley, have quick timelines to get on the ballot to run for Council or to register to vote in a May special election.
Start by using the City's council district lookup tool to see whether you are within District 4.
Registered voters in District 4 who wish to represent the area on the City Council should review candidate information and file nomination papers by March 29.
U.S. citizens in this district who are at least 18 years old should register to vote by May 13.
Residents in District 7, which stretches from inside the UC Berkeley campus to five blocks south, will vote on April 16 in a separate special election to elect their councilmember.
Candidate filing period open until March 29
Candidates interested in running for District 4 Councilmember must file all required nomination forms by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 29.
Appointments are required for candidates to obtain and file nomination documents. To schedule an appointment, email elections@berkeleyca.gov or call (510) 981-6908.
If you want to be a City Council District 4 candidate, please review candidate information, including the election calendar and candidate handbook. To be eligible, candidates must be a U.S. citizen 18 years or older and have resided in Berkeley District 4 for at least thirty days before filing.
Candidates can receive matching funds from the City to help fund their campaign through the optional Public Financing Program. Learn more about campaign finance.
City Council called for the special election to fill the vacancy created by District 4 Councilmember Kate Harrison’s resignation on February 23, 2024. The winning candidate would complete the rest of Harrison’s term, which ends in November 2026—when District 4 residents would choose to elect or re-elect someone to a full 4-year-term.
Register by May 13 to vote in May 28 election
You can register to vote online.
You'll need:
- California driver's license or ID card number
- last four digits of your social security number
- date of birth
If you don't have a California driver's license or state-issued ID, you can still fill out the online registration form. The website will create a pre-filled application for you to print, sign, and mail.
Alternatively, register with paper applications, available at any public library, the U.S. post office, DMV, or the City Clerk Department at 2180 Milvia Street. Paper applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered by 5:00 pm on Monday, May 13 to:
Alameda County Registrar of Voters
1225 Fallon Street, Room G1
Oakland, CA 94612
Check your registration status to confirm that your information is correct. You need to re-register if you have moved, changed your name, or wish to change your political party preference.
After the May 13 registration deadline, eligible citizens can still register and vote in person at their county elections office or vote center.
To receive a convenient vote-by-mail ballot, register to vote by May 13.
Mail-ballot voting starts on April 29, 2024
All registered voters in District 4 will receive a ballot and a return envelope in the mail. The vote-by-mail period opens on April 29 and ends on Election Day, May 28, 2024.
Voters can send their ballots by mail, deliver them to election drop boxes, or visit a vote center in person. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
Drop boxes will be available at:
- In front of Berkeley City Hall, 2180 Milvia Street
- At the rear driveway behind Berkeley City Hall (enter from Allston Way)
- An in-person vote center in District 4 will be announced closer to election day
Residents in this downtown and central Berkeley area should register by May 13 to vote in the May 28 Special Election for District 4. For those who would like to represent the area on the City Council, make an appointment to obtain nomination papers and plan to file them by March 29.
