Bear Valley Community Services District is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors, elected at large from the community for staggered 4-year terms.  “At large” means the board of directors are elected by the voters of the entire district.

Qualifications: Board member qualifications are established by California Government Code § 61040, which states “No person shall be a candidate for the board of directors unless he or she is a voter of the district”. This means candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the District and registered to vote. Property ownership is not a requirement to serve on the Board of Directors.

Process: Elections are conducted by Kern County Elections Division and consolidated with November general elections. Kern County prepares and delivers a Notice of Election with instructions, filing dates and information on when, where and how to obtain candidacy papers. Once this notice is received by the District, it is posted at the District office and publicized on our website, social media platforms and electronic newsletter. It is also included as an information item at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

Filing Deadlines: The filing period for the November consolidated general election begins 113 days prior to the general election date and ends 88 days prior to the election date. If no current Board Member has filed by this date, the deadline is extended an additional 5 days for non-incumbents only to file. (California Elections Code Section § 10516)

Newly elected Directors take office at noon on the first Friday in December following the general district election. (CA Elections Code Section 10554)