City Election - Tuesday, November 8, 2022
2022 is an election year in Takoma Park. The Nominating Caucus is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Election day is Tuesday, November 8.
This year’s election will be conducted by mail.
Requirements for Candidacy
Consider leading and serving your community by running for office. Any resident interested in running for the position of Mayor or City Councilmember must meet certain qualifications. If you are thinking about running for city office, you must be:
- a registered Maryland voter and a resident of the City of Takoma Park, Maryland;
- at least 18 years of age by the date of the election; and
- a resident of the City of Takoma Park for at least six months immediately preceding the election. If running to represent a ward as a City Councilmember, you must be a resident of the ward for at least six month immediately preceding the election.
Before soliciting any contributions or making expenditures for your campaign, register with the City Clerk. In addition to the requirements above, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, contact information, and the name of the position you seek. Candidate registration for the 2022 election begins on June 13. There is not a requirement to register before the Nominating Caucus unless you are accepting contributions, making campaign expenditures, or otherwise actively campaigning.
On the campaign finance registration form, you will also be asked to certify that you will comply with all requirements of the Takoma Park Charter and Code applicable to the election process in Takoma Park, including Chapter 5.12 Fair Election Practices and Chapter 3.04 Ethics, and that you will file all required campaign finance reports and financial disclosure requirements for candidates.
How to Get Your Name on the November City Election Ballot
Nominating Caucus on Tuesday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Nominating Caucus is a meeting of Takoma Park voters to accept nominations for the office of mayor and city councilmember. Nominations of candidates for Mayor may be made on motion by any qualified voter of the City, and if such nomination is seconded by a qualified voter of the City, the person so nominated shall be considered a candidate. Nomination of each candidate for Councilmember shall be made on motion of any qualified voter of their ward, and if such nomination is seconded by a qualified voter of their ward, the person so nominated shall be considered a candidate. A candidate may nominate themselves or second their nomination. Any nominated candidate may decline a nomination during the nomination meeting. A person may only accept nomination for one office.
The name of each person nominated will be placed on the ballot for the November 8 city election unless the nominated person files a declination with the City Clerk within three days after the nomination or fails to file a timely candidate’s financial disclosure statement as required by the City of Takoma Park Public Ethics Ordinance.
Anyone with questions or who would like additional information should contact Jessie Carpenter, at jessiec@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7267.
Salary and Benefits of Mayor and Councilmembers
Beginning with the City Council elected in November 2022, the mayor will receive an annual salary of $32,000. Each city councilmember will receive a salary of $24,000 per year.
Elected officials are eligible to receive health insurance benefits equivalent to those of full-time City employees. Other current benefits include the use of a City of Takoma Park smartphone for City email and phone calls during the term in office; opportunity to attend, without cost, conferences beneficial to the City through organizations such as the National League of Cities and the Maryland Municipal League (MML); and reimbursement of certain other expenses, such as travel.
This article was featured in the June 2022 Newsletter. Visit the Takoma Park Newsletter webpage to see full list of past newsletters.
