Elections

2020 General Municipal Election


The City of Arcata will hold a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
The official notice of election can be viewed here.

To register to vote in the upcoming election, please click here.

City Council Open Seats



Three seats on the Arcata City Council are up for election in the November 2020 General Election. These seats have full terms of 4 years, and will expire in November 2024.

The City Council adopts laws and sets policies to guide the City Manager and City staff in City operations. City Council members attend two regular City Council meetings each month in addition to other special meetings and study sessions, and other monthly meetings of various regional agency partners.

Nomination papers for these seats will be available beginning at 9 AM Monday, July 13, 2020 through Friday, August 7.

Nomination papers may be received electronically upon request by emailing the City Clerk at bdory@cityofarcata.org or by calling 707-825-2103. Nomination papers may also be picked up at the City Manager's Office in City Hall, located at 736 F Street.

Qualifications for individuals wishing to run for City Council include:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must live within designated Arcata City Limits
  • Must be registered to vote in Arcata at their Arcata residence
  • Must obtain at least 20, but no more than 30, signatures of registered voters who reside within Arcata city limits and are registered to vote at their Arcata residence
The 2020 Arcata City Council Candidate Guide can be found here. 


Ballot Measures


Two City ballot measures will be voted on at the November 2020 General Election. Registered Arcata voters will have the option to vote yes or no on these measures.

Measure A gives voters the opportunity to approve an annual parcel tax of $37 in order to fund the improvement and maintenance of Arcata’s City parks, trails and open spaces.

Measure A Reads:

To protect and preserve natural open space areas for future generations by: improving and maintaining parks, open spaces and trails; protecting land around creeks, rivers and streams to prevent pollution and improve water quality; protecting redwood forests, wildlife habitat, working lands, scenic hillsides and agricultural land; expanding public access and trail systems; shall the City of Arcata levy a special tax of $37 annually per parcel providing approximately $175,000 annually until ended by voters, with citizen oversight and all funds benefitting local open space as set forth in City Council Resolution 190-68?


Measure B gives voters the ability to increase the City’s cap on affordable housing.

Measure B Reads:

Shall private and public entities be authorized to develop, construct, or acquire up to 7.5% of the total number of housing units in the City of Arcata for elderly, disabled and alter-abled, and low-income households, pursuant to Article XXXIV of the California Constitution? An affirmative vote on this measure has no fiscal impact, nor does it grant approval for any specific project. If approved, this measure would rescind and replace the 1992 Measure I, which authorized a limit of 5%.

The complete text of the measures are available in the City Clerk’s office between the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Primary arguments for or against a ballot measure must be received by the City Clerk by Friday, July 17, with rebuttal arguments due on Tuesday, July 28.

For more information on requirements for submitting an argument for or against a ballot measure, please contact the City Clerk by email at bdory@cityofarcata.org or by calling 707-825-2103.