(Updated to reflect HB 2022 and amended Primary Election date)
Candidate Packets
Candidate packets are available in the City Clerk’s Office.
Prospective candidates may make an appointment with the City Clerk to review the candidate packet and discuss the election process. Informational appointments generally last 15–30 minutes.
Please call (520) 792-2424 to schedule an appointment.
Filing appointments are recommended to ensure timely processing, particularly near filing deadlines.
2026 CITY COUNCIL ELECTION
Three (3) City Council seats will be filled during the 2026 election cycle.
Three (3) Council Members will be elected to four-year terms.
Newly elected Council Members will assume the duties of office after the vote has been canvassed by the City Council and are typically sworn in at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting following the November 3, 2026 General Election.
Candidate Eligibility
To be eligible to run for City Council, a candidate must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a qualified elector at the time of filing nomination papers
- Have resided in the City of South Tucson for at least one year
Statement of Interest
Before collecting any signatures on a nomination petition, a candidate must file a Statement of Interest with the City Clerk.
Any petition signatures collected before the Statement of Interest is filed are invalid and subject to challenge.
Nomination Petition Signature Requirements
Nomination petitions must contain:
- Minimum: 14 valid signatures
- Maximum: 27 valid signatures
Signatures must be from qualified voters of the City of South Tucson.
Nomination Petition Filing Period
[UPDATED – Primary date change]
The nomination filing period begins at:
- 8:00 AM on Saturday February 21, 2026
- Ends at 5:00 PM on Monday, March 23, 2026
Candidates must file all required nomination documents with the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 PM on March 23, 2026 to have their name placed on the July 21, 2026 Primary Election ballot. Since the City Clerk’s Office is closed on February 21, filings may be submitted on the next business day the office is open.
Required Forms During Filing Period:
- Nomination Petitions (minimum 14 valid signatures)
- Nomination Paper / Declaration of Qualification
- Financial Disclosure Statement
Candidate Committee Formation
A candidate is required to register a political committee if the candidate receives contributions or makes expenditures totaling $500 or more, in any combination, in connection with the candidacy.
Write-In Candidates
[UPDATED – Primary date change]
Write-in candidates are not required to file nomination petitions; however, all other candidate filing requirements apply.
To qualify as a write-in candidate, the following must be filed with the City Clerk’s Office by:
🕔 5:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026
(60 days prior to the July 21, 2026 Primary Election)
Required forms:
- Nomination Paper / Declaration of Qualification
- Financial Disclosure Statement
Write-in candidates who do not file by the deadline will not have votes counted.
Voter Registration & Early Voting Information
[NEW – County Recorder Guidance]
- Voter Registration Deadline:
Arizona law requires voters to be registered 29 days before the election.
➤ Primary Election Registration Deadline: June 22, 2026 - Early Voting / Ballot by Mail:
Early ballots are mailed beginning approximately 27 days before the election, subject to county administration.
Voter registration, early voting, and ballot-by-mail services are administered by the County Recorder’s Office.
Nomination Forms
- Candidate Statement of Interest (PDF) / Spanish
- Nomination Paper / Declaration of Qualification – 4-Year (PDF) / Spanish
- Nomination Petition – 4-Year (PDF) / Spanish
- Write-In Candidate Nomination Paper – 4-Year (PDF) / Spanish
- Financial Disclosure Statement Form (PDF)
- Secretary of State Financial Disclosure Guide (PDF)
- Candidate Checklist (PDF) / Spanish
- Write-In Candidate Checklist (PDF)
Campaign Finance Forms
- Campaign Finance Report Forms (PDF)
- Campaign Contribution Limits (PDF)
- Secretary of State Campaign Finance Handbook (PDF)
Political Action Committee Forms
- Statement of Organization (PDF) / Spanish
- Committee Termination Statement (PDF) / Spanish
- Arizona Revised Statutes – Title 16
Political Signs
Campaigns wishing to place political signs within the City of South Tucson must comply with:
- A.R.S. § 16-1019
- City of South Tucson City Code §§ 19-26 through 19-29 and § 19-146
Planning and Zoning staff are available to review sign locations for compliance.
Call (520) 792-2424 for assistance.
Arizona law requires underground utilities to be marked before installing campaign signs.
Contact Arizona 811 at least two working days before installation.
Helpful Election Resources
[NEW – County Coordination]
- City Clerk’s Office: Candidate filings, petitions, local election information
- County Recorder: Voter registration, early voting, ballot-by-mail services
- County Elections Department: Election administration and polling place information
- Arizona Secretary of State: Campaign finance reporting and disclosure requirements
IMPORTANT DATES
[UPDATED – Primary date change]
- January 15, 2026
2025 4th Quarter / Cumulative Campaign Finance Report Due - February 23, 2026
First Day to File Candidate Nomination Petitions - March 23, 2026
Last Day to File Candidate Nomination Petitions (5:00 PM) - April 15, 2026
1st Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due - May 22, 2026
Write-In Candidate Filing Deadline (5:00 PM) - July 15, 2026
2nd Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due - July 21, 2026
Primary Election Day - August 5, 2026
Post-Primary Campaign Finance Report Due - October 15, 2026
3rd Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due - November 3, 2026
General Election Day - November 18, 2026
Post-General Election Campaign Finance Report Due - January 15, 2027
2026 4th Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due
*Deadlines falling on weekends or holidays are extended to the next business day pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 1-243(A) and 1-303.
Legal Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended to assist candidates in preparing candidate paperwork. Election laws and statutes are subject to change and interpretation. Candidates are encouraged to consult legal counsel to ensure compliance. City staff are not permitted to provide legal advice.
Traducción al español disponible. Seleccione “Español” en el menú desplegable al final de la página.