March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election

The Elections Department is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To make an appointment use our online appointment scheduler.  The office will take appointments until 5:00 p.m. on days that have a filing deadline. Walk-ins will be helped but only if there are no other scheduled appointments for that time, if you come in as a walk-in you may be asked to make an appointment for an available time slot. Filing deadlines are rigid, so it is advisable to file early. Please make sure to review all paperwork thoroughly, most errors can be corrected given adequate time. Please call (209) 754-6376 with questions.

• March 5, 2024 Candidate Guide

Please read the following process to file for candidacy:

1. Signatures in-lieu of filing fee petitions (PILS) - Opens September 14, 2023, and closes November 8, 2023.  PILS are optional and for candidates who wish to collect signatures to reduce or eliminate their filing fee.  Candidates should make an appointment to pick up their signatures in-lieu forms. Valid signatures may also be applied toward nomination signature requirement.
2. Return completed signatures in-lieu of filing fee petitions to Election Office for signature verification.
3. Elections Office will verify signature validity and notify candidate of any deficiency within 10 days of filing petitions.
4. Nomination and Declaration of Candidacy opens November 13, 2023, and closes December 8, 2023.  Candidate packets will be emailed and available for pick up upon request.
5. Candidates must make an appointment to return completed candidacy forms & filing fees as they apply:
   • Ballot Designation Worksheet
   • Media Sheet
   • Form 700 & applicable FPPC forms
   • Statement of Qualifications (optional)
   • Code of Fair Campaign Practices (optional)
6. Elections Department reviews the above forms and issues the Declaration of Candidacy.

• Checklist - Use the checklist to help keep track of which forms to fill out
• Signatures In-Lieu of Filing Fee Petitions - Prepared by Elections Office and available September 14, 2023
• Declaration of Candidacy - Prepared by Elections Office and available 11/13/2023
• Nomination Papers - Prepared by Elections Office and available 11/13/2023
• Ballot Designation Worksheet - Used to provide candidates ballot designation. The ballot designation describes the candidate's principle occupation, vocation, or profession and may not exceed three words.
• Media Sheet - Contact information the candidate authorizes the County to release upon request and display on the Election's website.
• Candidate Statement of Qualifications - There is a fee to submit a statement.  The candidate statement must have an original signature candidates are required to send an electronic  Word or pdf version via email by December 8, 2023. *If choosing not to submit statement sign bottom of form
• Code of Fair Campaign Practices - Optional

All candidates for state and local office and all committees are responsible for knowing and meeting all deadlines set by the Fair Political Practices Commission(FPPC). FPPC campaign rules can be found here. The following links are provided for convenience.

March 5, 2024 Filing Schedules & Helpful Guides:

• Local Candidates

• Committees Primarily Formed to Support/Oppose State Candidates

• Committees Primarily Formed to Support/Oppose Local Measures

• FPPC Checklist

• FPPC Fast Facts

Local candidates and officeholders who receive or expend contributions totaling $2,000 or more are required to file electronically.  Click here to access the electronic campaign filing system. 

All Candidates are responsible for determining which FPPC Campaign Filing forms apply to them.