City Council Seats
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Novato will hold an election for three City councilmember seats. Council seats are elected by-district, meaning that those interested in running for City Council must reside and be a voter in the district that they represent, and are elected only by registered voters residing in that district.
The following seats are up for election on November 5, 2024:
- Councilmember District 1 – Full term of four years
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- Councilmember District 3 – Full term of four years
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- Councilmember District 5 – Full term of four years
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The period to file to run for City Council for Districts 3 and 5 opened on July 15, 2024 and closed at 5pm on August 9, 2024 because the incumbents in those districts filed papers to run for reelection prior to the deadline.
The Nomination Period to file to run for City Council in District 1 was extended to August 14, 2024 because the incumbent in District 1 did not file papers to run for another term. This extended filing period was for non-incumbents only.
Not sure which District you are in? Use our Interactive District Map below!
Measure M
In addition to the City Council Seats in Districts 1, 3 and 5, the Novato City Council unanimously voted to place Measure M on the November 2024 ballot to protect essential City services.
The ballot language for Measure M reads:
“Shall the measure continuing locally controlled funding, that the State cannot take away, and maintaining City of Novato’s services, such as: fixing potholes/ streets; maintaining 9-1-1 emergency response, crime/ gang prevention; attracting/ retaining small businesses; maintaining parks/ recreation facilities; enhancing wildfire prevention; and repair aging storm drains; by establishing a 3/4c sales tax in the City of Novato, until ended by voters, for general government use, providing an additional $10,300,000 annually, with citizens’ oversight, independent annual audits be adopted?"
If approved by local voters, Measure M would increase Novato's local sales tax rate by 0.75%, adding 7.5¢ to a $10 purchase, which would be paid by anyone shopping in Novato, including visitors. Essential purchases like groceries, medical & dental services, utilities, and prescription medicine are exempt from sales tax.
If enacted, Measure M would continue to protect essential services and quality of life with locally controlled revenue which could be used to:
- Fix potholes and maintain city streets
- Maintain 9-1-1 emergency response and public safety
- Maintain parks and recreation programs and facilities
- Reduce the risk of wildfires
Measure M requires strict fiscal accountability protections, including:
- all funds must stay in Novato for local services only and cannot be taken by the State, the County or other agencies;
- all funds would be subject to independent annual audits and mandatory public spending disclosure as well as reevaluating the measure's necessity at year 10 and every 5 years thereafter
More information is available at novato.org/localfunding.
Nomination Papers Issued/Filed - November 5, 2024
The period to pull City Council Nomination Papers for the November 5, 2024 election was July 15, 2024 thru August 9 2024, or thru August 14, 2024 at 5pm if an incumbent did not file for a specific contest.
Nomination papers were available at City Administrative Offices located at 922 Machin Ave, Novato CA 94945.
As part of the Nomination Process, potential candidates collected no less than 20 and no more than 30 signatures of registered votes within their district nominating them for office. Once the signatures were verified by the Marin County Elections Office and all of their candidate paperwork was filed with the City Clerk, the candidate became qualified to run.
Below is the list and status for City Council Candidates for the November 5, 2024 Election:
District 1 - Nomination Period Closed August 14, 2024
| Name |
Date Issued |
Date Filed |
Date Qualified |
| James Peter Petray |
July 16, 2024 |
August 1, 2024 |
August 1, 2024 |
| Kevin Jacobs |
July 25, 2024 |
August 5, 2024 |
August 5, 2024 |
District 3 - Nomination Period Closed August 9, 2024
| Name |
Date Issued |
Date Filed |
Date Qualified |
| Tim O'Connor* |
July 18, 2024 |
July 23, 2024 |
July 24, 2024 |
District 5 - Nomination Period Closed August 9, 2024
| Name |
Date Issued |
Date Filed |
Date Qualified |
| Mark J. Milberg* |
July 17, 2024 |
July 29, 2024 |
July 29, 2024 |
| Arthur Ruda |
July 23, 2024 |
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| Tommas Pizzo |
July 31, 2024 |
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*Incumbent
NOTICE OF NOMINEES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE - NOVEMBER 5, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to § 10224.5 of the Elections Code of the State of California, relating to the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Novato on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the following officers are to be elected for Members of the City Council:
District 1 - Full Term of Four Years
District 3 - Full Term of Four Years
District 5 - Full Term of Four Years
I, Laura McDowall, City Clerk Elections Official, certify that I have furnished nomination papers to the incumbents for the open offices of District 3 and District 5.
I, Laura McDowall, City Clerk Elections Official, certify that I have not furnished nomination papers to the incumbent for the open office of District 1.
Nomination Papers may be obtained by appointment at City Administrative Offices, 922 Machin Ave, Novato California, 94945.
Completed Nomination Papers may be filed between July 15, 2024 and August 9, 2024 at 5pm by appointment at City Administrative Offices, 922 Machin Ave, Novato California, 94945 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday - Thursday and alternating Fridays.
If an incumbent does not file, the deadline to obtain and file Nomination Papers is extended to 5pm on August 14, 2024 for that specific district.
/Laura McDowall/
Elections Official
Dated: August 6, 2024
