General Information
The seven-member Ventura City Council meets two times a month on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Chall. The Council meets the first week in August and then does not reconvene until the first Monday after the Labor Day weekend.
City Councilmembers serve a four-year term with terms staggered on a two-year basis with three members elected at one election and four members elected at the next. Elections to select Councilmembers are held on the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of the even-numbered years.
Newly elected Councilmembers assume their seat on the City Council in December, after the election is certified. At the same time, the Council is reorganized and one of its members is selected to be Mayor. The Mayor serves a two-year term as the presiding officer of the Council. The Mayor acts as the City Council's ceremonial representative at public events and functions. The Deputy Mayor is also selected in the same manner and serves a 2-year term
Starting with the 2018 Election, City Council members are elected by Districts. Candidates must live in their District and reside in that District once Elected. Please see the Elections web page for more information on Ventura's District-Based Election process and nomination period dates.