| Date | Description | # of days before election |
|---|---|---|
|
December 19, 2025 Signature-In-Lieu of |
The Signature-In-Lieu filing period deadline applies Elections Code §§ 8061, 8106, 8162 |
165 to 118 |
|
January 26, 2026 thru Superior Court offices Declaration of Intention |
All judicial candidates including incumbent judges must file a Declaration of Intention no later than February 4th. Candidates for Superior Court offices must also pay the filing fee when the Declaration of Intention is filed. Elections Code §§ 8023, 8105(b) |
127 to 118 |
|
February 5, 2026 thru Superior Court offices Declaration of Intention extension period |
Extension period applies only if an incumbent Superior Court Judge does not file a Declaration of Intention by February 4th. Incumbent judges may not file during this period. Elections Code 8023(b) | 117 to 113 |
|
February 9, 2026 thru Nomination period |
Period for all candidates and incumbents to file with the Elections Department all required and optional documents or withdraw as a candidate. Elections Code §§ 8020, 8020.5, 8105, 10220, 10407, 10510 |
113 to 88 |
|
March 7, 2026 thru Public review of candidate statements and ballot designations |
During this period a candidate or voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, may file legal action to challenge a candidate’s statement or ballot designation filed for offices closed for nomination. Elections Code §§ 13313-13314 |
-87 to -78 |
|
March 7, 2026 thru Extended nomination period begins |
The nomination period will remain open if an incumbent does not file by the March 6th deadline. Elections Code §§ 8024, 10225, 10516 |
87 to 83 |
|
March 12, 2026 thru Public review of candidate statements |
During this period voters can get copies of candidate statements filed for offices with extended nominations or file a Writ of Mandate in Superior Court. Elections Code §§ 13313-13314 |
82 to 73 |
|
March 12, 2026 Random alphabet drawing |
The Secretary of State conducts a random drawing to decide the order of candidate names on the ballot. The Registrar of Voters draws the random alphabet for State Assembly and State Senate candidates for the Marin County ballot. Elections Code §§ 13111,13112 |
82 |
|
April 6, 2026 thru Write-in candidacy |
Write-In Candidates pick up and file your papers at the Marin County Elections Department. Elections Code § 8601 |
57 to 14 |
|
April 18, 2026 Overseas & military ballots |
Deadline for our office to transmit ballots and related materials to military or overseas voters who’ve requested a ballot by this date. 52 U.S.C. § 20302; Elections Code § 3114 |
45 |
|
April 23, 2026 Voter Information Guide |
The Elections Department will begin mailing Voter Information Guides to Marin County registered voters. | 40 |
|
April 23, 2026 Campaign finance |
Candidates must file at least 1 campaign finance statement by this date regardless of their level of activity covering the period 1/1/26 through 4/18/26 Government Code § 84200.8 |
40 |
|
May 4, 2026 Vote-by-mail ballots |
The Elections Department will begin mailing ballots to all registered voters in the county. Marin County voters may pick up a vote-by-mail ballot at the Elections Department beginning this date. Elections Code §§ 3001, 4005 |
29 |
|
May 21, 2026 Campaign finance |
Candidates who have campaign finance committees must report all financial activity from the date of their last statement through May 16, 2026. Government Code § 84200.8 |
12 |
|
May 23, 2026 In-person voting |
Vote centers start to open on staggered schedules Elections Code § 4005 |
10 |
|
June 2, 2026 Election Day |
All vote centers and the Elections Department will be open 7 am – 8 pm. Elections Code § 14212 |
0 |
|
June 4, 2026 Official Canvass |
Official elections canvass begins Elections Code §§ 15301, 15372 |
+2 |
|
June 9, 2026 Official Canvass |
Deadline for the Elections Department to receive a vote-by-mail ballot postmarked on or before Election Day Elections Code § 3020 |
+7 |
|
Date to be determined Manual Tally |
The Marin County Elections Department randomly selects 1% of the precincts to count votes by hand (manual tally). Elections Code § 15360 |
TBD |
|
July 2, 2026 Election certification |
The deadline for the Elections Department to certify the election results. Elections Code §§ 15301, 15372 |
+30 |
Candidate guide - important dates 06/02/26
June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election.
Page last updated on January 6, 2026.