General Municipal Elections are held at the same time as the general election for Federal offices in the State of California.  The elective officers of the City currently consist of a City Council made up of five council members who serve “at large” representing the entire community, rather than a particular district; and who were elected to four-year overlapping terms. 

Transition to By-District Elections
In August 2017, the City received written notice alleging that the City's at-large system violated the California Voting Rights Act.  While the City disputed the allegation, the Council determined that it was in the best interest of the City to transition from at-large elections to by-district elections.  In October, the City began the process by holding public hearings to solicit commentary prior to the drawing of draft district maps.  On December 19, 2017, judgment was entered in Tulare County Superior Court enjoining the City from utilizing an at-large voting system and ordering the City to proceed with the implementation of by-district elections.  In March and April, the Council held public hearings to receive public commentary on three draft district maps and election sequencing, with the Green Map being approved on April 3, 2018.  

On May 15, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1845, an ordinance establishing by-district elections in five single-member districts in the City, and adopting the map describing the boundaries and identifying number of the five City Council districts in the City.  

All five current Council Members will serve as at-large council members until the end of their current terms. At the end of their terms, the council members can run for re-election by district if they live in a district up for election at that time.  Members of the City Council shall be elected in Districts 1 and 2 beginning in November 2018, and every four years thereafter.  Members of the City Council shall be elected in Districts 3, 4, and 5 beginning in November 2020, and every four years thereafter. 

• District 1: Daniel Peñaloza, November, 2022
• District 2: Milt Stowe, November, 2022
• District 3: Martha A. Flores, November, 2020
• District 4: Monte Reyes, November, 2020
• District 5: Virgina Gurrola, November, 2020
  
  

In order to be eligible to hold any elective office City Council Members elected to represent a district must reside in that district and be a registered voter in that district.  Further, any candidate for City Council must reside in, and be a registered voter in, the district in which they seek election at the time nomination papers are issued.

November 3, 2020 Municipal Election
City Council Members to represent Districts 3, 4 and 5 will be elected at the City’s next Municipal Election on November 3, 2020.  The filing period for nomination papers and candidate's statements is July 13, 2020, through August 7, 2020. The County Elections office has recently advised that it is changing the process by which all candidates within Tulare County can receive and file for candidate paperwork.

Commencing on July 13, the first day on which candidates may "pull" nomination papers for elective office, candidates will be able to do so online through the Tulare County Registrar of Voters. The new process will now only require one in-person visit to the County Elections Office in Visalia, CA when the candidate submits their paperwork to qualify as a candidate. This visit will be handled by the County by appointment.

Also on the ballot are measures concerning a cannabis excise tax (Measure R), and a transient occupancy tax increase (Measure S). For more information, click on the link below.

Other Useful Links for Voters and Candidates

• City of Porterville District Map; Interactive Version
• List of City Council Candidates
• Measure R, Measure S
  
• Election Calendar
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Poll Site Lookup
• Voter Registration
• Vote by Mail (Absentee)
• Tulare County Registrar of Voters
• California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)

If you have any questions regarding the Municipal Election please contact the City Clerk's Office, (559) 782-7464.