The City of Santa Cruz will hold an election on March 5, 2024, for the purpose of filling Councilmember seats for Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5. 

Resources

• Calendar for Candidates
• Calendar for Measures
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Interactive District Map (find out what district you live in)

Per a change to the City's Charter via Measure E, the Mayor and by-district Councilmembers shall be elected using a Two Round Election System, otherwise known as a runoff.

711 TWO ROUND ELECTION SYSTEM.

(a) The Mayor and the by-district Councilmembers shall be elected using a Two Round Election System, also known as runoff voting. At the first round of elections, any candidate receiving a majority of the vote cast (i.e., 50% + 1) for all candidates for that office shall be declared elected.

(b) If, after the first round of elections, there is any office to which no person was elected, then the two candidates for such office receiving the highest number of votes for such office shall be the candidates, and the only candidates, for such office whose names shall be printed upon ballots to be issued at the second or General Municipal Election; provided that, in any event, all persons receiving a number of votes equal to the highest or second highest number of votes received by any candidate shall also be candidates at such second election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast for all candidates for that office at the second or General Municipal Election shall be declared elected.