The City of Tulare is divided into five districts, and elections are staggered. Districts 1, 3, and 5 hold elections at the same time, while Districts 2 and 4 vote in a different cycle. Registered voters in each district elect the City Councilmember who represents their area.

Look up your City Council district using the City Council Lookup App.

• Be a United States citizen
• Live within the City of Tulare
• Be at least 18 years old on Election Day
• Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction

The following links are provided to assist you with your voter registration needs:

• Register to Vote Online
• Same Day Voter Registration (Conditional Voter Registration)
• Check Your Voter Registration Status
• BallotTrax - Track Your Ballot by Email or Text Message

Each candidate is required complete and submit a Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests with the City Clerk's Office. Candidates must also file certain forms with the City Clerk's Office before soliciting any campaign contributions or making any campaign expenditures. Visit the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website for information regarding the Form 700 as well as other campaign filing requirements.

These statements are available online and in the City Clerk’s office for public review. You must report investment, interests in real property, and business positions held on the date of filing your declaration of candidacy. In addition, you must disclose income, including loans, gifts, honoraria and travel payments, received during the 12 months prior to the date of filing your declaration of candidacy. Please Note: The Form 700 must be filed at the same time as nomination papers.

Advice and assistance related to the requirements of the Political Reform Act is available from the Fair Political Practices Commission at www.fppc.ca.gov.

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 571, beginning January 1, 2021, a state campaign contribution limit will by default apply to city and county candidates when the city or county has not already enacted a contribution limit on such candidates. On May 19, 2020, the Tulare City Council adopted a resolution establishing a zero-contribution limit from an individual person per calendar year.

Political signs are vital to the electoral process, enabling candidates to share their messages. Signs must be placed responsibly to respect property rights, public safety, and community aesthetics. 

Pursuant to Section 5405.3 of the Business and Professions Code, a temporary political sign is a sign which:

(a) Encourages a particular vote in a scheduled election.
(b) Is placed not sooner than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and is removed within 10 days after that election.
(c) Is no larger than 32 square feet.
(d) Has had a statement of responsibility filed with the department certifying a person who will be responsible for removing the temporary political sign and who will reimburse the department for any cost incurred to remove it.

Visit the California Department of Transportation’s website for more information and to access a statement of responsibility form.

Signs are not allowed to be placed within the right-of-way of any highway or within 660 feet of the edge of and visible from the right-of-way of a landscaped freeway.

Penal Code Sections 556, 556.1, and 556.3 provide that it is a misdemeanor for any person to place a sign to advertise on public or private property (without consent); and that it shall be considered a public nuisance.