Dec. 14, 2017 –
Feb. 7, 2018

(E-173 to E-118)

Signature in Lieu of Filing Fee – Judicial, Voter-Nominated and County Candidates

Between these dates, all candidates may obtain signature-in-lieu forms from the county elections official or the Secretary of State for circulating petitions to secure signatures in-lieu of paying all or part of the filing fee. Signatures may also be applied to the nomination signature requirements for the office.

§ 8061, 8105, 8106

For judicial candidates the In-Lieu Petition must be filed by the last day to file the Declaration of Intention since the filing fee must be satisfied by that day. The Elections Department will notify the candidate of any deficiency within 10 days of filing.

Dec. 22, 2017

(E-165)

County Holiday – Office Closes at 12 Noon

Dec. 25, 2017

(E-162)

County Holiday – Office Closed

Dec. 29, 2017

(E-158)

Secretary of State to Prepare Notice of Offices on Primary Ballot

At least 158 days before the primary, the Secretary of State shall prepare and transmit to each county election’s official a notice designating all the offices, except those of county officers and judges, for which candidates are to be nominated. 

§12103

Jan. 1, 2018

(E-155)

County Holiday – Office Closed

Jan. 2, 2018

(E-154)

Registration in New Party

The last day any person may register to vote and declare intention to affiliate with a particular party in order to qualify that party to participate in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election candidate nominating process.

§5100(b)

Jan. 2 – Jan. 21*

(E-154 to E-135)

Report of Registration – 154-day Report

During this period, each county elections official shall prepare to send to the Secretary of State a summary statement of the number of persons registered by party affiliation, by county, and by each political subdivision.

§2187(c)(1)

Jan. 15

(E-141)

County Holiday – Office Closed

Jan. 21*

(E-135)

New Party Qualification

The last day for the Secretary of State to determine whether a new political party has qualified either by registration or by filing a petition.

 §2187(c)(1), 5100(b)&(c)

Jan. 29 – Feb. 7

(E-127 to 118)

Declaration of Intention – Judicial Candidates

Between these dates judicial candidates file their Declaration of Intention with the Elections Department. Candidates must pay the entire filing fee at this time, represented by money, signatures or any prorated combination of money and signatures. Shall state which office they intend to become a candidate. The filing fee is non-refundable.

§8023, 8105

Jan. 31

(E-125)

Secretary of State to Prepare Notice Designating Qualified Political Parties

At least 125 days before the direct primary election, the Secretary of State shall prepare and transmit to each county election official a notice designating the political parties qualified to participate in the primary. 

§12103

Jan. 29 – Feb. 12

(E-127 to E-113)

Cities Publish Election Notice

Between these dates, any city that is consolidating an election with the June Primary will publish a Notice of Election one time in a newspaper of general circulation stating:

• The date and polling hours of the election
• Any offices to be filled and any measure to be voted on, including a synopsis of each measure.

§12101, 12111

Feb. 5 – Mar. 7

(E-120 to E-90)

County Publishes Notice of Election

Between these dates the County Clerk will publish a Notice of Election containing the date of the election, the offices to be filled, where nomination papers are available, and the deadline for filing Declarations of Candidacy.

The county clerk may combine with this notice a central counting place that will tally the ballots.

§12109, 12112

Feb. 8 – Feb. 12

(E-117 to E-113)

Extension of Declaration of Intention Period

If the incumbent has not filed a Declaration of Intention to succeed to the same office, then any other person, other than the incumbent, may file such a declaration during the extension period.

§ 8023(b)

Feb. 12 – Mar. 9

(E-113 to E-88)

Declarations of Candidacy & Nomination Papers – All Candidates

Between these dates, candidates must file their Declaration of Candidacy, Ballot Designation Worksheet, and Nomination papers.  All candidates, except those for judicial offices who satisfied their filing fee requirements when they filed their Declaration of Intention, must pay the entire filing fee at the time they pick up their Nomination papers.  The fee may be represented by money, signatures, or any prorated combination of money and signatures. The filing fee is non-refundable.

Candidates may authorize in writing that their in-lieu signatures count toward the number of signatures needed for their Nomination paper.

When nomination and/or candidacy papers are issued, the elections official shall provide candidates with:

• the rules governing conflicts of interest and campaign statements;
• rules governing candidate statement charges and filings; and
• a blank form of the “Code of Fair Campaign Practices” and copies of Elections Code §20440-20444.

                                           §8020, 8040, 8041, 8061, 8100, 8104, 8105, 8106

Feb. 12 – Mar. 9

(E-113 to E-88)

Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications—Judicial and County Candidates

Between these dates, candidates for judicial & county offices may prepare a statement of qualifications, not to exceed 200 words, to be included in the County Voter Information Guide.  The statement shall be filed and paid for at the time the Declaration of Candidacy is filed.  The statement may not be changed, but may be withdrawn up until 5 p.m. on March 12 if the contest closes on March 9 or March 15 if the contest closes on March 14 after the extension period.

§13307, 13111

Feb. 12 – Mar. 9

(E-113 to E-88)

Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications – State Legislative and Congressional Candidates

Between these dates, candidates for State Legislative and Congressional offices may prepare a statement of qualifications, not to exceed 250 words, to be included in the County Voter Information Guide.  The statement shall be filed and paid for no later than March 9.  The statement may not be changed, but may be withdrawn up until 5 p.m. on March 12 if the contest closes on March 9 or March 15 if the contest closes on March 14 after the extension period. 

§13307.5, Gov Code § 85601(c)  

Feb. 19

(E-106)

County Holiday – Office Closed

March 7  – June 5

(E-90 - E)

24-hour Contribution Reports

During the 90 days immediately preceding an election and including Election Day, the following contributions that total in the aggregate of $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours to the county elections official.

• 497: File if a contribution of $1,000 or more in the aggregate is received from a single source.
• 497: File if a contribution of $1,000 or more in the aggregate is made to a candidate or measure being voted upon June 5, 2018, or to a political party committee.
• The recipient of a non-monetary contribution of $1,000 or more must file a Form 497 report within 48 hours from the time the contribution is received.

File by personal delivery, e-mail, guaranteed overnight service, fax or online, if available.

Gov. Code §82036, 84203, 84203.3, 85204, 85309

March 7  – June 5

(E-90 - E)

24-hour Independent Expenditure Reports

During the 90 days immediately preceding an election and including Election Day, all candidates and committees that make an independent expenditure of $1,000 or more to support or oppose a single candidate for elective state or local office or a single state or local ballot measure must report the expenditure within 24 hours to the Secretary of State’s Office or county elections official, whomever receives the campaign statements.

• 496: File if independent expenditures of $1,000 or more are made.
• 462: New Verification Requirements. Campaign committees that make independent expenditures of $1,000 or more must verify that the expenditures are, in fact, not coordinated with the relevant candidate or ballot measure committee and that the committee is reporting all contributions and reimbursements.

File 496 with the appropriate filing officer by personal delivery, e-mail, guaranteed overnight service, fax or online, if available. File 462 by email to form462@fppc.ca.gov

Gov Code §82036.5, 85204, 85204

Mar. 9

(E-88)

Last Day to Submit Resolutions of Consolidation

Final deadline for the governing body of a district, city, school or other political subdivision which requests consolidation of a local election for candidates and/or measures to file the request with the county Elections Department.

Whenever resolutions calling for a measure to be placed on the ballot are filed, immediately after that filing date will be a 10-day public inspection period. Documents will be on public display at the Elections Department, 701 Ocean St., Room 210, Santa Cruz.

During this period, any voter of the jurisdiction or the county elections official may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted.

§ 9190, 9380, 10401, 10402, 10403

Mar. 9

(E-88)

Deadline for Filing Tax Rate Statement for Bond Measures

Last day to file Tax Rate Statement for any bond measure appearing on the June ballot.

§9401

Mar. 9

(E-88)

Notification of Mail Ballot Precinct

Last day for the county elections official to determine that there are 250 or fewer persons registered to vote in any precinct. The county elections official may then mail to each voter a vote-by-mail ballot along with a statement that there will be no polling place for the primary election.  

§3005

Mar. 10 – Mar. 14

(E-87 to E-83)

Extension of Nomination Period

Extension period for anyone other than the incumbent to file a Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Petition if the incumbent did not file by March 9. This provision does not apply if there is no incumbent eligible to be elected. 

§8022, 8024, 8204

Mar. 15, 11 a.m.

(E-82)

Randomized Alphabet Drawing

Secretary of State shall conduct the randomized alphabet drawing to determine the order in which the candidates will appear on the primary election ballot. 

On this same day, the County Clerk shall conduct a randomized alphabet drawing for the offices of State Senate and Assembly.

§13112

Mar. 16

(E-81)

Deadline to File Arguments For or Against Measures

Arguments for or against any measure called for the June 5, 2018 election are due by 5 p.m. 

§9163, 9316

County Counsel to submit analysis for county and school/special district measures.

§9160, 9313

City attorney to submit analysis of city measures.

§9280

County Auditor, if previously directed by the Board of Supervisors, to submit fiscal analysis of measures.

§9160

Arguments are public after the 5 p.m. deadline.

(Department policy)

Mar. 17 – Mar. 26

(E-80 to E-71)

10-day Public Inspection for Arguments

During the 10-calendar-day public examination period of arguments filed by March 16, any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, or the county elections official, himself or herself, may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted. The writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than the end of the 10-calendar-day public examination period.

§9190

Mar. 19

(E-78)

Write‑In Campaign Against Incumbent Judge Running Unopposed for Primary Election

Last day to file a petition indicating that a write‑in campaign will be conducted against an unopposed superior court judicial candidate who has filed Nomination papers.  The petition must be signed by at least 0.1% of the registered voters qualified to vote, provided the petition shall contain at least 100 signatures but not more than 600 signatures  Write-in candidates must file between April 9 and May 22.

§8203(a), 8600-8604

Mar. 23

(E-74)

Deadline for Filing Rebuttals to Measures

On this date Rebuttal Arguments, if applicable, will be due by 5 p.m. 

§9167, 9285, 9317

Rebuttals are public after the 5 p.m. deadline.

(Department policy)

Mar. 24 – Apr. 2

(E-73 to E-64)

10-day Public Inspection for Rebuttals

Documents will be on public display at the Elections Department, 701 Ocean St., Room 210, Santa Cruz.

During this period, any voter of the jurisdiction or the county elections official may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted.

§9190, 9380

Mar. 29

(E-68)

Certified List of Candidates

Last day for the Secretary of State to send to each elections official a list showing the name, office, party preference, and ballot designation of every person who has been nominated as a candidate for public office and is entitled to receive votes within the county at the primary election.

 §8120-8125

Mar. 29

(E-68)

Randomized List from Secretary of State

By this day, the SOS shall provide to elections officials a list of candidates for each county arranged according to the randomized alphabet drawn on March 15, 2018.

§8149

Mar. 30

(E-67)

County Holiday – Office Closed

Apr. 6

(E-60)

Military or Overseas Vote-by-Mail Ballot Applications

First day the county elections official may process applications for military or overseas voter ballots. Any applications received by the county elections official prior to this day shall be kept and processed on or after this date. If the applicant is not a resident of the county to which he or she has applied, the elections official receiving the application shall forward it immediately to the proper county.

A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a military or overseas voter will be deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status

§300(b), 3102, 3105

Apr. 6 – Apr. 16

(E-60 to E-50)

Report of Registration – 60-day County Report

During this period, county elections officials shall send to the Secretary of State a summary statement of the number of persons registered by party in their counties and in each political subdivision thereof as of April 6, 2018.

§2187

Apr. 9 – May 22

(E-57 to E-14)

Statement of Write‑in Candidacy and Nomination Papers

During this period write‑in candidates must file their Statement of Write‑in Candidacy and Nomination Papers with the county elections official.

§8600-8606

Apr. 12

(E-54)

54-Day Walking Lists Prepared

The county elections official will prepare the 54-day voter roster that is available for purchase upon written application at a cost of 50 cents per 1,000 names.

§2184, 2185

Apr. 21*

(E-45)

State Voter Information Guides Available

By this date, the Secretary of State shall furnish copies of the State Voter Information Guide to cities, counties, members of the Legislature, proponents of statewide ballot measures, public libraries, and educational institutions.

§9096

Apr. 26 – May 15

(E‑40 to E‑21)

State Voter Guide Mailing

Between these dates the Secretary of State shall mail State Voter Information Guides to all households in which voters were registered by Friday, April 6, 2018 (E‑60).

§9094

April 26

(E-40)

First Pre‑Election Statement

Last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees covering the period ending April 21, 2018.

Gov Code §84200.5, 84200.8(a)

Apr. 26 – May 15

(E-40 to E-21)

Counties Mail County Voter Information Guide / State Voter Information Guide Mailing

Between these dates the county elections official shall mail a county voter information guide and polling place notice to each registered voter. 

Between these dates the Secretary of State shall mail state Voter Information Guides to all households in which voters were registered by Friday, April 6, 2018 (E‑60). The county will do a supplemental mailing of state Voter Information Guides to voters who register after April 6.

§9094,13303, 13304

May 7

(E-29)

Establish Precinct Boards and Polling Places

Last day for the county Elections Department to appoint board members and polling places and provide a copy to each county central committee and make a copy available to the public. 

§12286, 12318

May 7

(E-29)

Last Day to Register to Vote to Ensure Receipt of County Voter Information Guide

Voter registration cards received by this date (postmark NOT ACCEPTABLE) will be added to the rolls and the voters will receive a County Voter Information Guide prepared by the county elections official. The voters who submit cards after this date will NOT receive a County Voter Information Guide, only a notice advising the late registrant that he/she will not receive a County Voter Information Guide.

§9094, 13303

May 7 – May 29

(E-29 to E-7)

Vote-by-Mail Ballot Period – County Mails Ballots to Voters

Between these dates voters may apply for a vote-by-mail ballot from the Elections Department. Voters may also obtain a ballot during this period from the County Elections Office and Watsonville City Hall. Under certain conditions voters may obtain a vote-by-mail ballot after May 29.

§3001, 3003

May 7

(E-29)

29-Day Walking Lists Prepared

The County Elections Official will prepare the 29-day voter index available for purchase upon written application at a cost of 50 cents per 1,000 names.

§2184

May 21

(E-15)

15-day Voter Registration

Last day to register to vote in the primary election. The Voter Registration Form shall be mailed (postmarked by this date), received online by midnight, or delivered to the county elections official by this date and is effective upon receipt. The Voter Registration Form may also be submitted by this date to the Secretary of State, Department of Motor Vehicles, or any National Voter Registration Act designated agency.

52 U.S.C. §20301; §321, 2102

Last day for military or overseas voters to register to vote.

A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a military or overseas voter, if postmarked on or before this date, will be deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status. When a county elections official receives and approves a registration application from a military or overseas voter, the official must provide that voter with a vote-by-mail ballot for each subsequent election for federal office in the state unless the voter fails to vote in four consecutive statewide general elections.

§3102

May 22 to June 5

(E-14 to E)

Conditional Voter Registration

Voters who missed the voter registration deadline can still register and vote - up to and including Election Day at the Santa Cruz County Elections Office, Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, and other locations designated by the County Clerk.

Ballots will be counted after the elections official verifies the voter’s registration and confirms that they have not already voted in the election.

§2170

May 22 – June 5

(E-14 to E)

New Citizens Registration Period

Registration for new citizens shall begin the 14th day prior to an election and ending at the close of polls on Election Day.  A new citizen registering to vote after the close of registration shall provide the county elections official with proof of citizenship prior to voting, and shall declare that he or she has established residency in California.  New citizens vote a regular ballot.

§331, 3500, 3501

May 22

(E-14)

Bilingual Precinct Board Members

By this date, the county elections official shall prepare a list of precincts to which bilingual officials were appointed. A copy of this list shall be made available to the public.

§12303(d)

May 24

(E-12)

Second Pre‑Election Statement

The last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees covering the period from April 22, 2018 to May 19, 2018.

Gov Code §84200.5, 84200.8(b)

May 25

(E-11)

Date Designated by SOS

Certified List of Write-In Candidates

The SOS will prepare and send to affected county elections officials a certified list of write-in candidates. This list will also be mailed to each candidate running for the affected offices.

May 26*

(E-10)

Notice of Central Counting Place

Last day for county elections official to publish the notice that the primary election ballots will be counted at a specified public place. The notice shall be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

§12109

May 28

(E-8)

County Holiday – Office Closed

No Later than

May 29

(E-7)

Publish Polling Places and Precinct Board Members

Not less than one week before the election, the elections official shall publish the list of polling places and precinct board members.

  §12105‑12108, Gov. Code §6061

May 30 – June 5

(E-6 to E)

Obtaining a Ballot After the Close of Vote-by-Mail

Period in which any voter may apply in writing for a ballot if, because of specific conditions, he/she will be unable to go to the polls.  A written statement is not necessary if the ballot is voted in the office of the elections official at the time of the request.  The voter may either personally or through any authorized representative return the ballot to the Elections Department or polling place in the county.

§3021

June 1

(E-4)

County Campaign Disclosure Statement – 3rd Pre‑Election Statement

The last day for county candidates to file their disclosure statement for the period from May 20, 2018 to May 31, 2018.

Santa Cruz County Code §8.04.080(2)c

June 2 to June 3

(E-3 to E-2)

Weekend Voting

The Santa Cruz County Elections Department and Watsonville City Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for weekend voting.

June 5

 (E)

Primary Election Day

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. 

§1000, 14212

June 5, 8 p.m.

(E)

Semifinal Official Canvass

Beginning at 8 p.m. and continuously until completed, the county elections official shall conduct the semifinal official canvass of votes and report totals to the Secretary of State at least every two hours.

§15150, 15151

June 7 – July 5

(E+2 to E+30)

Official Canvass

The official canvass of precinct returns is to be completed during this time.

§15301, 15372

June 8

(E+3)

Vote-by-Mail Ballots Returned Via Post Office - Deadline

Vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day or is time stamped or date stamped by a bona fide private mail delivery company on or before Election Day, and received by the county elections official shall be considered received on time.

If the ballot has no postmark, a postmark with no date, or an illegible postmark, the vote by mail ballot identification envelope must be signed and dated by the voter pursuant to Section 3011 on or before Election Day in order to be considered received on time.

§3020

June 13

(E+8)

Unsigned ballot envelope statement

Voters who failed to sign their vote-by-mail ballot envelope have until 8 days after the election to provide a signature on an Unsigned Ballot Envelope Statement.

§3019

July 5

(E+30)

Statement of Vote to Board of Supervisors – Certificates of Election Prepared

The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the Board of Supervisors. 

The Board of Supervisors shall declare the nominees or winners for each office and the results of each measure under its jurisdiction. The county elections official shall make and deliver to each person elected a certificate of election.

§15372, 15400-15401

July 5

(E+30)

Nonpartisan Candidates Elected if Majority Vote Received

Any candidate for a nonpartisan office who at a primary election receives a majority of the votes cast for candidates for that office shall be elected to that office.  The office shall not appear on the general election ballot, notwithstanding the death, resignation, or other disqualification of the candidate at a time subsequent to the primary election. 

§8140

July 5

(E+30)

No Candidate Elected to Nonpartisan Office

If no candidate has been elected to a nonpartisan office where only one person may be elected, then the two candidates who received the highest number of votes cast for nomination to that office shall appear on the November ballot. 

§8141

In the case of a tie vote, both candidates will appear on the November ballot.  In no case shall the candidates determine the tie by lot. 

§8142

5 days after canvass

Recount May Be Requested

Within five (5) days after the completion of the official canvass, any voter may request a recount by filing a written request with the Elections official and specifying that candidates and/or measures are to be recounted.

The request may specify the order of the precincts for the recount, and the petitioning voter shall, before commencement of each day's recount, deposit such sum as the official requires to cover costs (approximately $500 per day).

"Completion of the canvass" shall be presumed to be the time when the elections official signs the certified Statement of Vote.

§15620 – 15634

Varies between

10 days to

6 months following the certification of the vote

Contesting an Election

Any elector of a county, city, or of any political subdivision of either may contest any election held therein for any of the following grounds:

• That the precinct board or any member thereof was guilty of malconduct.
• That the person who has been declared elected to an office was not, at the time of the election, eligible to that office.
• That the defendant has given to any elector or member of a precinct board any bribe or reward, or has offered any bribe or reward for the purpose of procuring his election, or has committed any other offense against the elective franchise defined in Division18 (commencing with Section 18000).
• That illegal votes were cast.
• That eligible voters who attempted to vote in accordance with the laws of the state were denied their right to vote.
• That the precinct board in conducting the election or in canvassing the returns, made errors sufficient to change the result of the election as to any person who has been declared elected.
• That there was an error in the vote-counting programs or summation of ballot counts.

§16100

The contestant shall verify the statement of contest, as provided by Section 446 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and shall file it within the following times after the declaration of the result of the election by the body canvassing the returns thereof:

• In cases other than cases of a tie, where the contest is brought on any of the grounds mentioned in subdivision (c) of Section16100, six months.
• In all cases of tie, 20 days.
• In cases involving presidential electors, 10 days.
• In all other cases, 30 days.

§16401

July 6

(E+31)

Statement of Vote to Secretary of State

No later than this date the elections official shall send one copy of the Statement of Vote to the Secretary of State.

§15375

July 13

(E+38)

Certificates of Election or Nomination to be prepared

The county elections official will prepare certificates of nomination for each candidate nominated for nonpartisan offices voted for wholly within one county.

§8145, 8146

The Secretary of State will prepare certificates of nomination for Congressional and Legislative candidates.                                                       §8147

Period Following Election

Document Retention

Nomination documents and signatures in‑lieu of filing fee petitions (if applicable) shall be held during the term of office for which they were filed and for four years after the expiration of the term.  They may be destroyed as soon as practicable thereafter provided no legal action or proceeding is pending.

Since the June 2018 election has federal offices on the ballot, precinct supplies and voted ballots must be preserved for 22 months following the election.  If no legal action is pending at the time, the documents may be destroyed or recycled.  Unused ballots may be destroyed or recycled after the June 2018 election.

Initiative, referendum and recall petitions must be preserved for eight months following certification of the election for which the petition qualified or eight months after final examination of the petition by the clerk.  If no legal action or proceeding is then pending, the petitions may be destroyed as soon as practicable.

Elections Code Division 17, commencing with §17000

July 31

(E+56)

Semiannual Campaign Statement

Last day to file semiannual campaign statements, if required, by all candidates and committees.                                                                Gov Code §84200, 84218