City Elections

Welcome to the City of Bell Elections web page. This site has been prepared to help Bell residents access information on current and prior elections, provide information on the ballot initiative process, and guide potential candidates for public office.

Who can run for City Council?

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a Citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of California
  • Be a registered voter and a resident within the City of Bell for not less than 30 days preceding the date of filing candidate papers. Registration will be verified before issuance of nomination papers.

Important City Election Information

Notice is hereby given that Senate Bill No. 415 (SB415), the California Voter Participation Rights Act (California Elections Code 14050-14057), which was approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2015, prohibits local governments from holding their elections other than on a statewide election date, if their elections have previously resulted in a significant decrease in voter turnout. To comply with SB 415, the City of Bell City Council adopted Ordinance 1225 which moved the city's election to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of even-numbered years.

In 2020, the state adopted Senate Bill (SB) 970 that moved the statewide primary back to June of even numbered years during a non-presidential election year beginning in 2022. However, it will keep the March primary during presidential election years. This change impacted local governments with March elections such as the City of Bell. This means that every two years, elections will either be held in March or June of even-numbered years in a staggered fashion.

The City Council considered and discussed SB 970 at the August 11, 2021 and October 13, 2021 meetings. Staff Reports are listed below:

At the October 27, 2021 Council meeting, the Council introduced Ordinance 1271, changing the date of the City's General Municipal Election from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of even numbered years to the date of the statewide primary elections in even numbered years in response to SB 970. The Council adopted Ordinance 1271 at the November 10, 2021 meeting (staff report below).

General Municipal Election

The next General Municipal Election for the City of Bell will be held on June 2, 2026.

Voter Registration Information

You may register to vote if you are:

  • A citizen of the United States.
  • At least 18 years of age or older on or before Election Day.
  • Not found mentally incompetent by a court of law.
  • You are not:
    • Serving a state prison term for a felony conviction in a County jail under contract between state and local officials.
    • On parole/probation for a felony conviction as a condition of your release from prison/jail.

How to Register

  • Go online by using the California Online Voter Registration System at https://registertovote.ca.gov.
  • Mail a completed voter registration form, which can be obtained by picking up a voter registration form at most government buildings.
  • In person at one of the RR/CC offices or most government buildings.
  • Call (800) 481-VOTE, (800) 815-2666 Option 2.

Past Election Results

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