UPCOMING ELECTIONS

The City of Somerton will hold elections for four seats: one Mayoral seat and three Council Member seats, each serving a four-year term expiring in December 2030. For additional candidate information, please click on Candidate Information below.

July 21, 2026 - Primary Election

  • Candidate filing period: February 23, 2026 - March 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Write-in candidate deadline: May 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Voter Registration Deadline (Primary): June 22, 2026
  • Early Voting Begins (Primary): June 24, 2026
  • Last Day to Request a Ballot by Mail (Primary): July 10, 2026

November 3, 2026 - General Election 

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Somerton’s elected officers consist of seven Council Members, one of whom is elected separately as Mayor in accordance with City Code § 2-2-1. The Mayor and Council Members together constitute the City Council and serve as the governing body of the City of Somerton. Each Council Member serves a four-year term, and all elected officials continue in office until their duly elected successors assume their duties.

POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under City Code § 2-1-2, the corporate powers of the City are vested in the City Council and may be exercised only as directed or authorized by law. All actions of the Council are taken through ordinances, resolutions, orders, or motions.

The Mayor serves as the presiding officer during Council meetings, participates in voting on matters before the Council, and executes and authenticates official actions approved by the City Council.

ELECTIONS

City elections are held in accordance with state election laws. City Council elections are non-partisan, meaning candidates do not run under political party labels.

Council Members are elected to four-year overlapping terms. Newly elected members assume office at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting following the general election, as outlined in City Code § 2-1-3.

ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE

In accordance with City Code § 2-1-3, newly elected Council Members take office at the first regularly scheduled City Council meeting immediately following the general election at which they were elected. Their terms begin upon assuming the duties of office.

Four Councilmember seats will be on the ballot. If you are interested in running for any of these offices, please click on the "Candidate Information" section at the bottom for additional information.

POLITICAL SIGNS

Candidates wishing to use political signs within the City’s right-of-way must follow the requirements of A.R.S. § 16-1019.  All political signs must be in compliance with Arizona state law and the regulations established by the City of Somerton Code.  An overview of the requirements can be found here.

Political signs are governed by A.R.S. § 16-1019. Political signs may be placed in Somerton’s public right-of-way beginning 71 days prior to the primary election until 15 days after the general election (or, if candidates do not advance to a general election, 15 days after the primary election). As a result:

  • No signs may be placed in Somerton’s public right-of-way prior to May 11, 2026, for the July 21, 2026, Primary Election.
  • For candidates not advancing to the November 3, 2026, General Election, signs must be removed by August 5, 2026. For candidates advancing to the General Election, signs must be removed by November 18, 2026.

All signs must contain the name and telephone number, or website address of the candidate or campaign committee contact person. Please also be aware of the advertising disclosure requirements found in A.R.S. § 16-925.

Signs can be posted in the City’s right of way, but not on City property.

  • City right-of-way: A strip of land typically occupied or intended to be occupied by a street or road, or for another special use.
  • City property: Property owned by the City of Somerton and used for a government purpose, including, but not limited to, the Somerton City Hall, Somerton Municipal Court, Somerton Community Center, Somerton Cultural Center, and Public Safety Building.

Signs can only be posted on private property with the permission of the property owner. Posting a sign on public land requires the permission of the agency that controls the land.

Signs must be properly secured in the ground. Signs may not be affixed to guardrails, signal devices, telephone or light poles, or other street signs. Signs may not be placed in areas that would: be hazardous to public safety, obstruct clear vision in the area, or interfere with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Political candidates or committees will be notified and given 24 hours to relocate improperly placed signs before they are removed by Somerton Code Enforcement Officer, except for signs which impair traffic visibility or create a safety hazard. In such cases, the signs will be removed immediately by the City and the candidate or campaign committee contact person will be notified within 24 hours.

There is no restriction on the number of signs a candidate or committee can place during the election cycle. There are restrictions on sign size pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-1019.

Please Note: It is a criminal misdemeanor offense to unlawfully remove or deface a political sign in violation of A.R.S. § 16-1019.

For questions about whether a proposed sign placement would be in the City right-of-way or on City or other property, please call Code Enforcement at (928) 722-7369. All other election questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at (928) 722-7330.