A. Each candidate for elective office may prepare a candidate’s statement on the form provided by the City Clerk. The candidate’s statement may include the name, age and occupation of the candidate and a brief description of no more than two hundred (200) words, together with the candidate’s education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or herself, in accordance with Elections Code Section 13307. The statement shall not include the party affiliation of the candidate, nor membership or activity in partisan political organizations.
B. The candidate’s statement shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk at the time the candidate’s nomination papers are filed.
C. Each candidate filing a statement shall pay in advance to the City his or her estimated pro rata share of the total cost of printing, handling, translating and mailing the candidate’s statement filed pursuant to Elections Code Section 13307, as a condition of having his or her statement included in the voter’s pamphlet. The City Clerk shall determine the estimated pro rata cost of filing the candidate’s statement, which shall be posted with the City Clerk at the time the candidate’s statement is filed; the written receipt for payment of the estimated amount shall include a written notice that the estimate is just an approximation of the actual cost that varies from one election to another election and may be significantly more or less than the estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements.
D. The City Clerk shall bill each candidate for additional actual expense or refund any excess paid depending on the final actual cost. In the event of underpayment, the City Clerk shall require the candidate to pay the balance of the cost incurred; in the event of overpayment, the City Clerk shall prorate the excess amount among the candidates and refund the excess amount paid within thirty (30) days of the election.
E. The City will provide an exemption from advance payment of the fee for the candidate’s statement, for candidates who establish indigence in accordance with Elections Code Section 13309. The indigent candidate shall be responsible for payment of the pro rata share of the costs related to printing, translating, handling and mailing of the candidate’s statement. The City Clerk shall bill and collect from any indigent candidate his or her actual pro rata share of the cost after the election.
F. Candidates’ statements may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers, and until 5:00 p.m. the next working day after the close of the nomination period.
G. A written statement of the regulations set forth herein shall be provided to each candidate or his or her representative at the time he or she picks up the nomination papers. Each candidate shall be provided a copy of this Section at the time nomination papers are issued.