So you want to run for public office in San Ramon Valley?

Any resident interested in running for public office this year in luck because the San Ramon Valley have several public service positions up for election this November and the application process begins next week.

Starting Monday, Danville, San Ramon and unincorporated Valley residents interested in appearing on the November ballot — alongside the race for governor and Congress among other seats — can file their candidacy nomination paperwork with election officials starting Monday through Aug. 10.

San Ramon has three seats on the ballot this year, with two City Council positions and the mayor’s office up for grabs. Danville also has two Town Council seats up for election.

While some positions have different qualifications a prospective candidate must meet in order to run for public office, some general qualifications are necessary for all residents looking to run including: candidates must be U.S. citizens, be registered to vote during the filing period and not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.

Danville and San Ramon do not require candidates pay a filing fee for municipal contests. If a candidate wants to publish a statement to appear in the voter guide, a deposit of $509 for Danville candidates and $1306 for San Ramon will be charged. The candidate’s statement is optional however.

San Ramon or Danville council candidates will also require a minimum of 20 valid signatures from local registered voters in order to officially declare their candidacy.

For the positions, the first step residents must take toward registration is setting up an appointment with the city clerk’s office. Danville residents will need to call 314-3388 or walk in at 510 La Gonda Way, while citizens of San Ramon will need to do the same at 973-2539, at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road.

In Danville, seats held by Councilwoman Karen Stepper and Vice Mayor Robert Storer are up for grabs.

In San Ramon, three newcomers have declared their intention to run for one of the two available council seats in San Ramon. With Councilman Harry Sachs electing to not run for re-election — due to family reasons– a new face is guaranteed to join the council come November.

The other contested seat belongs to David Hudson, who has been on the council for five terms, and has not yet officially confirmed his intention to run, but has filed initial paperwork with the city indicating that he is interested.

Mayor Bill Clarkson, who won his last election after running unopposed, is the lone member of the three incumbents to declare his intent to run another campaign. If re-elected, Clarkson will have held the mayorship the maximum-allowed four terms.

Serving on city/town council is not the only way to serve your community, as there are numerous other regional positions also available for interested residents.

District residents will also have the opportunity to serve the region’s schools. This year three seats will be open on the San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s Board of Education.

Board president Ken Mintz, vice president Rachel Hurd and interim board member Susanna Ordway all have seat up for grabs in November. Candidate statements are more expensive for the school board election; the optional deposit comes in at $1,313. Board members have yet to announce their intent to run for re-election

Two board seats are up for election for Dublin San Ramon Services District, which provides water and wastewater services to Dublin and parts of San Ramon as well as sewer service to Pleasanton by contract. Any interested candidates must note that applications must be filed with both Alameda and Contra Costa counties’ election officials

Nature lovers can run for East Bay Parks Regional District Board of Directors, with the Ward 6 seat representing the San Ramon Valley on the ballot.

The East Bay Municipal Utility District will be accepting Danville San Ramon candidates for its ward two Board of Directors seat. EBMUD provides potable water to Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

Danville and San Ramon voters will have the opportunity to run for the Contra Costa Community College District governing board, Ward IV seat.

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, the provider of sanitary sewage transport and treatment for the central portion of the county, also has two positions up for election on its Board of Directors.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District has three board of director seats up for grabs in the coming election.

The official candidacy nomination deadline for all local elections is Aug. 10, but a five-day filing extension will be given in each race where an incumbent does not file for re-election.

Local candidates will be joined on the ballot by several runoff elections for county, state and national positions.

Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-Dublin) is seeking a third term for the 16th State Assembly District, running against attorney and political newcomer Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda).

Three time incumbent Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) will look to maintain his position as the representative of California’s 15th Congressional District. Come November he will go up against Republican challenger Rudy Peters, a business owner from Livermore.

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) will also look to maintain his place in Congress, facing Challenger John Fitzgerald (R-Concord) for District 11.

The race to replace retiring Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata is also headed to a runoff with deputy superintendent Lynn Mackey and Mt. Diablo school board member Cheryl Hansen finishing in the top two slots.

Interested candidates are recommended to read the Contra Costa County 2018 candidate guide and set an appointment with the registrar of voters office, 555 Escobar St., Martinez.