How to Serve on the Council

The Arcata City Council is composed of five members elected at large by the registered voters of Arcata to be the legislative policy-making branch of city government. The Council directs the course of local government through its power to adopt ordinances, levy taxes, award contracts, and appoint certain city officers, commissions and committees.
June 2016 Arcata City Council

Candidate Requirements:

To be appointed to the Arcata City Council, one must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a registered voter, registered at and residing at an address within the city limits of Arcata.
  • Prospective candidates must gather a minimum of 20, and not more than 30, signatures of voters registered at an address within the city limits of Arcata
  • Write-in candidate nomination papers for the City Council seats will be available by appointment beginning Monday, September 9, 2024, through Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the City Manager’s Office in City Hall, located at 736 F Street. Issuance of nomination papers can take up to an hour and appointments are required. To make an appointment, please call (707) 822-5953.
  • Example candidate nomination papers can beviewed here.
  • The FPPC Campaign Manual can beviewed here.

Fair Political Practices Commission Forms 

Under the Political Reform Act administered by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), City Clerks are the local Filing Officers for their cities. The Filing Officer is the person who receives and retains original Statements of Economic Interests (FPPC Form 700) and pre-election campaign statements for candidates and ballot measures.

Information on how and when to file FPPC forms, and the forms themselves can be found at the Fair Political Practices Commission'swebsite. For information regarding completion of the forms, please call the FPPC's advice line at 1-866-ASK-FPPC (866-275-3772).



Contact Us

  1. RVarley

    Rhea Varley

    City Clerk
    RVarley@CityofArcata.org

    City Manager's Office

    Contact the Office

    Arcata City Hall
    736 F Street
    Arcata, CA 95521

    Directions/Map

    Phone: 707-822-5953
    Fax: 707-822-8018

    Hours

    (Excluding Holidays)

    Monday - Thursday
    9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Friday
    9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

    Staff Directory