Candidate and Election Resources

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Current Election

Important Dates

Signatures In Lieu of Filing Fee Petitions (for any offices that requires a filing fee, EC § 8106)

You, the candidate, may submit petition forms with signatures of registered voters to reduce filing fees and secure their nomination signatures during this period. Petition forms must be received by this deadline.

This is Optional. Refer to #4 for your next step.

Not applicable for General Elections

Candidate Nomination Period (Federal, State, County, and Schools, EC § 8020)

Nomination signatures required (unless you met your nomination signature requirements during the Signature In-Lieu of Filing Fee Petition period in Step #1). Nomination documents, including a Declaration of Candidacy (EC § 8040), must be obtained during this period.

This is Mandatory.

July 15, 2024 – August 9, 2024

Write- In Period (Write-In Candidates)

A name written on a ballot will not be counted unless the person has filed during this period a statement of write-in candidacy and nomination signatures, if applicable, stating they are a Qualified Write-In candidate for the election.

This is Mandatory.

September 9, 2024 – October 22, 2024

November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election Resources

Positions Up For Election	List of positions up for election.
Candidate Report (coming soon)	List of state and local candidates who have filed nomination documents.
List of Qualified Write-In Candidates (coming soon)	List of qualfied write-in candidates for state and local contests.
Proclamation and Writ of Election	The Governor’s Proclamation for the regularly scheduled November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election to fill the seat made vacant upon the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Abbreviated Election Calendar	Important dates and deadlines for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election.
Measure Calendar	Important dates and deadlines for placing a measure on the ballot.
Secretary of State Randomized Drawing (coming soon)	All countywide contests will follow the results of the randomized drawing conducted by the Secretary of State.
Sacramento County Randomized Alphabet Drawing (coming soon)	State Assembly and State Senate contests that are shared with at least one other county will follow the results of the randomized drawing conducted by the County.

Candidate Information

There are two ways for you, the candidate, to obtain your paperwork:

Schedule an appointment and come in-person.
Authorize a representative to pick up documents on your behalf. To do so, you must complete, sign, and return the Letter of Authorization to VRE.

All original nomination documents are due to VRE with original signatures by 5pm on the filing deadline in order for you to qualify as a candidate. Postmarks do not count.

If you do not plan to execute your Declaration of Candidacy in-person, it must be properly notarized by a California Public Notary and received by VRE by the filing deadline (EC §8040(c)). No exceptions.

Candidate Guide

Candidate Guide (coming soon)

The Candidate Guide is intended to provide general information and does not have the force or effect of law, regulation, or rule. It is distributed with the understanding that VRE is not rendering legal advice. Therefore, the Guide is not a substitute for legal counsel for the individual, organization, or candidate using it.

Candidate Forms

Ballot Designation Worksheet - Fill it out online, print, and bring it in signed.
Candidate Statement Form - If you are submitting a statement to be included in the County Voter Information Guide fill it out online, print, sign, and date. The first page of this form must be filled out and returned even if you do not plan on submitting a candidate statement.
Code of Fair Campaign Practices - Optional. Print and bring it in signed.
Letter of Authorization - EC 8028. To authorize anyone to pick up or/or drop off your paperwork.
Statement of Responsibility for Caltrans - Outdoor political signs. Fill it out online, print, and mail it to the address on the form.
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) - Comprehensive list of FPPC forms.

Candidate Filing Overview

The presentation below provides you with the general overview of the candidate filing process.

Candidate Filing Overview - PowerPoint Presentation (coming soon)

District Verification

You may enter your residential address and verify the district you reside in. Most contests require the you, as the candidate, to live in the district you are running for.

Voter Registration and Elections