Daly City City Clerk Maria E. Cortes announced today that she would not seek reelection to the post she has held since December 2003. Her announcement triggers a five-day extension to the deadline for submitting candidate statements and materials for the November 4, 2008 election. Individuals interested in running for the office of City Clerk now have until 5:00 p.m., August 13 to file the necessary papers to qualify for the November ballot.

“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Cortes said. “I grew up in this community and have enjoyed the opportunity to work in the City Clerk’s Office. I’ll definitely miss it.”

Maria Cortes is a graduate of Jefferson High School and has spent nearly 20-years working in the City Clerk’s Office. She began her career as a Typist Clerk II in October 1988 during Lorraine D'Elia’s term as Daly City’s City Clerk. She was promoted to Secretary III/Deputy City Clerk in 1995 and became Senior Deputy City Clerk in 1996, a position she held until former City Clerk Helen Flowerday’s retirement in 2003. Cortes was appointed City Clerk by the City Council on December 20, 2003 and was elected to her first full term November 2, 2004.

The City Clerk is the primary legislative record keeper for the City Council and serves as the City’s Elections Officer. The City Clerk’s Office maintains records of City Council actions dating back to Daly City’s incorporation in 1911.

Contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 991-8078 for information about filing as a candidate for the upcoming election.