Candidate guide - is your contest on the ballot?

After the end of the nomination period(s), the Elections Department will apply the number of qualified candidates to the number of seats to be filled in each contest. The result will determine if your contest will be on the ballot or not.

If the total number of candidates filing papers for your contest does not exceed the number of seats to be filled, you will be appointed in-lieu of an election. In other words the contest and your name will not be on the ballot.

In case there are less candidates than the number of seats, you will still be appointed as if elected, but the other seats must be filled:

Special district

The Board of Supervisors will conduct a search and appoint any qualified person(s) who will then serve exactly as if elected. Election Code §10515

School district

The governing board of the district will conduct a search and appoint any qualified person(s) who will then serve exactly as if elected. Education Code §5328

Municipal

The city’s governing body may adopt one of the following courses of action: Elections Code §10229

• Appoint those persons having filed nomination papers before the deadline;
• Appoint an eligible person who had not filed before the deadline;
• Hold the election.

If your contest is on the ballot, what order will your name appear in the list of candidates? This procedure is called the Randomized Alphabet Draw.

On the 82nd day before the election, the Secretary of State will pick letters of the alphabet at random according to the procedure specified in Elections Code §13112, resulting in a randomized alphabet list. This determines the name placement for all contests except for State Senate and State Assembly. Those are drawn by the County Registrar of Voters.

Your name will be placed on the ballot in the order that each of the letters of your surname was drawn. If multiple candidate names begin with the same letter, the second or third letter determines placement. For example candidates with the surnames of Campbell and Carlson will depend on the order in which the letters M and R were drawn.

If two or more candidates have the same last name, the alphabet will apply to the first name, and if necessary the middle name.

After your qualification as a candidate on the ballot, you have the ability to purchase voter data files for campaign purposes only. Elections Code §2187(g) and §2188

You must complete our application and provide a copy of your drivers’ license. The cost of the data is based on the size of the jurisdiction.

Applications, instructions, and pricing can be found on our Purchasing Voter Registration Information page.

1. Use of this data, including but not limited to using registration information for purposes of communicating with voters, is allowed pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Division 7, Article 1, Section 19003.
2. Prohibited uses are pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 2194, and include but are not limited to any personal, private, or commercial purpose, advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products; or the harassment of any voter or voter’s household.

It is a misdemeanor to do any of these things within 100 feet, of the poll entrance, an election office, or any location that a voter may cast or drop off a ballot: (Election Code § 18370)

• Pass around petitions.
• Try to influence how a voter votes.
• Put up signs about voter qualifications.
• Talk to voters about their qualifications to vote.
• Photograph, film, or record a voter as they go into or leaving a polling place.

Campaign photos and videos at the Civic Center

Candidates who wish to film a paid political commercial in or around the Civic Center should contact the Community Development Agency (CDA), (415) 473-7875 for details and requirements. County Code 5.36.010

Candidates may take photographs or videos of themselves filing candidacy paperwork in the Elections Department as long as it does not disrupt business operations, including staff privacy. These photographs and videos cannot be used for solicitation of votes, support, or contributions, but can be used for personal media.

Disclaimers: advertising & mailers

State law requires candidate committees to add disclaimers to most advertisements and communications including electronic media. “Paid for by committee name” is the basic disclaimer required by law on most campaign communications sent by a committee. Information about political advertising, communications and mass mailings can be found on the FPPC’s website and manuals.

Political signs

Before placing political signs make sure you know the state, county, and municipal rules.

County rules

(County Code 22.28.030 and 22.28.060)

• Signs are not allowed in unincorporated areas of Marin County, except on a residence or place of business with owner’s consent. Signs must not be placed more than 90 days prior to, or more than 10 days after an election.
• Signs are not allowed on County owned and maintained public property, right-of-way, medians, or any location that impairs pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Municipal rules

Contact information for municipal rules about posting signs within city/town limits.

State rules

• State rules about posting signs on state owned property, contact the Department of Transportation, Outdoor Advertising Program: 916-654-5327.