Election and Voter Information
General Municipal Election
General Municipal Elections to elect council members are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. The next scheduled election year is 2022.
Current Election – November 8, 2022
The Town of Colma will hold its next regularly-scheduled municipal election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, which coincides with the Statewide General Election. Two Council seats are up for election this year. If you are interested in running for office, please contact the City Clerk at 650.997.8311 or ccorley@colma.ca.gov with questions. You can schedule an appointment directly with the City Clerk or book online here.
Current candidates for City Council:
| Name of Candidate | Ballot Designation | Date Qualified | Candidate Statement |
| Helen Fisicaro | Incumbent | 07/28/2022 | Filed |
| Laura M Walsh | Medical Assistant | 08/05/2022 | Filed |
| Joanne F. del Rosario | Incumbent | 08/10/2022 | Filed |
Qualifications for Office
Government Code Section 36502(a) states that a City Council Member must be an elector of the Town at the time of assuming office and a registered voter of the Town at the time nomination papers are issued to the candidate. Persons residing in the unincorporated area of San Mateo County are not eligible to run for office in Colma. The City Clerk will verify voter registration and residency.
Pulling Nomination Papers
The nomination period opens at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022. The candidate must complete and return all required nomination documents by the filing deadline. Candidates are encouraged to obtain and file nomination documents early in the process so that the City Clerk has the opportunity to review them with the candidate and to give the candidate an opportunity to correct any errors or omissions. Appointments to pull nomination papers are highly encouraged, so that the Clerk is able to review and explain all the documents required. A candidate should allow a minimum of 30 minutes for an appointment. To schedule an appointment please contact City Clerk Caitlin Corley at ccorley@colma.ca.gov or 650.997.8311, or book online here.
Nomination papers must be obtained and returned during deadlines either established by law and during normal business hours. Town Hall business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If an incumbent fails to submit a nomination paper and all other required nomination documents by the deadline or fails to qualify by the deadline, the nomination period is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, for all candidates, with the exception of incumbents. A candidate may withdraw his or her nomination documents and remove his or her name from the ballot up until the close of the nomination period.
Register to Vote
Voter registration information is available through the San Mateo County Elections website. You may register to vote: California Voter Registration. To receive a hardcopy voter registration form, please contact the City Clerk at 650.997.8300 or ccorley@colma.ca.gov.
Online pre-registration is now available for eligible 16 and 17-year olds. California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old. More information can be found here.
Voters Choice Act and Changes to the Way We Cast Our Ballots
The Voters Choice Act changes how we cast our ballots this year. The Act is in place for all election cycles through 2024.
San Mateo County is one of several counties authorized by the State to conduct elections under the California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA). The VCA changed the traditional polling place election model to an All-Mailed Ballot/Vote Center model with ballot drop-off locations. Under this model, voters are able to cast their ballots by mail, drop off voted ballots into a secure Ballot Drop-off Box, or vote in person at a Vote Center. The VCA also includes a provision for same day voter registration. In the past, voters were required to register or re-register 15 days before an election in order to cast a ballot. Under this new legislation, unregistered voters are able to go to a Vote Center on election day, fill out a Voter Registration Form, and cast a provisional ballot. Once the voter’s eligibility is verified, the provisional ballot was counted.
How to Vote in Colma
By Mail: ALL registered voters in San Mateo County will be mailed a Vote by Mail Ballot beginning 29 days prior to Election Day, regardless of whether you have signed up as a Vote by Mail voter or not. Once you complete your ballot (be sure to sign the envelope!), you can mail it back through the regular mail.
By Drop Box: You can also drop off your ballot off at ANY Vote Center, Ballot Drop-off Location or any participating City/Town Hall throughout the county. For a full list of locations, please see the county’s website here.
Colma has two secure 24/7 Outdoor Drop Boxes in Town:
- Town Hall – 1198 El Camino Real
- Colma Community Center – 1520 Hillside Boulevard
In Person: If you’d rather vote in person, Town Hall (1198 El Camino Real) will be a Vote Center starting 3 days before election day, allowing you to vote early! The polls will be open Saturday, November 5 – Monday, November 7, 2022 from 9am to 5pm, and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 7am to 8pm. Vote early to avoid long lines!