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
|
- Councilmember District 3 – Full term of four years
|
- Councilmember District 5 – Full term of four years
|
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.
