LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Clearlake and Lakeport scheduled to hold municipal elections this November, the filing period will begin next week for residents wanting to run for seats on those cities' respective councils.

The clerks for both cities reported that nomination papers in the council races will become available on Monday, July 18.

The deadline to file the required paperwork is 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12, unless one or more of the incumbents do not file for reelection, in which case the filing period will be extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, for non-incumbents, city officials reported.

To be eligible to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, each candidate must be nominated by at least 20 but no more than 30 registered voters.

Because of this requirement, city officials urge candidates to pick up nomination paperwork well in advance of the filing deadline to allow time to gather signatures. 

There are three seats up for election on both councils this fall, officials reported.

In Clearlake, up for election are seats currently held by Nick Bennett, Gina Fortino Dickson and Joyce Overton.

Bennett was appointed by the council this spring to complete the remainder of Denise Loustalot's term after she moved outside of the city limits.

He told Lake County News that he intends to run this fall, and that he had committed to do so if he was appointed.

Fortino Dickson this week announced she was resigning her seat effective Aug. 12 due to her family's move out of county, as Lake County has reported.

Overton said she intends to seek a fourth term on the council because she wants to keep the city moving forward in a positive direction.

She said that, with Fortino Dickson leaving and Bennett still new to the post, and fellow council members Russ Perdock and Bruno Sabatier halfway through their first term, she wants to stay on for continuity's sake.

In Lakeport, the seats now held by Kenny Parlet, Martin Scheel and Marc Spillman will be on the ballot.

Parlet, now in his first term, confirmed to Lake County News that he will run again in the fall.

“It's gotten to be a labor of love,” he said of his service on the council.

Spillman announced at the December meeting in which he was appointed mayor that he would not seek reelection when his first term ends this year, and Scheel – also in his first term on the council – is running for the District 4 supervisorial seat, as Lake County News has reported.

Those interested in running for Lakeport City Council are asked to contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263-5615, Extension 12, for further information and to set up an appointment to pick up and go over the nomination packet. 

In Clearlake, candidate packets will be available in the City Clerk’s Office, 14050 Olympic Drive. Candidates are asked to contact the Deputy City Clerk’s Office at 707-994-820, Extension 111, or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule an appointment time. The packet disbursal process will take approximately one hour.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.