Rivas, who represents District 5, took the procedural step required of candidates to qualify for the ballot during the city’s nomination filing period.
Candidates must collect signatures from registered voters within their district before submitting paperwork to the City Clerk’s office.
The move positions Rivas to pursue another term on the council as Pasadena prepares for its upcoming municipal election cycle.
The move is not a surprise to political onlookers.
Rivas has begun organizing campaign activities, including outreach events where supporters can sign nomination papers and engage with the campaign.
Rivas is the final incumbent whose district is in the upcoming election to pull nomination papers.
Councilmembers Justin Jones and Jason Lyon pulled nomination papers on Monday to seek reelection in District 3 and District 7, respectively.
Two challengers — Alexandra Annala and Chad Pratt — pulled papers to run against Jones and Lyon in their respective districts.
So far, no one has pulled papers to challenge Rivas.
Candidacy papers must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, March 6. If an incumbent fails to file, the deadline for challengers in that district extends to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11.
Eligibility rules require candidates to be registered voters residing within District boundaries when nomination documents are issued. Petitions must contain at least 25 valid signatures from District voters. The filing fee is $25, and candidates who wish to publish a statement in the sample ballot booklet must submit a $750 deposit.
To assist prospective candidates, the City will host a workshop at City Hall, 100 North Garfield Ave., Room S228 at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The session will last about an hour and include distribution of nomination materials and a question-and-answer period.
The upcoming contest will be Pasadena’s first municipal election since the Eaton Fire. In response, the City Clerk has added information for displaced voters to the elections webpage, along with updated guidance for candidates.
Residents can obtain nomination papers by appointment through the City Clerk’s Office by phone at (626) 744-4124 or by email. City Hall offices will be closed Feb. 12 and Feb. 16.
Additional election information is available on the City’s website. Voter registration services are offered at City Hall, local libraries, post offices and online through the state’s registration portal.
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