Central Committee / County Council Rules

QUALIFIED POLITICAL PARTIES - COMMITTEES & COUNCILS

  • Democratic Party Central Committee (§7200 et.al)
  • Republican Party Central Committee (§7400 et.al)
  • American Independent Party Central Committee (§7650 et.al)
  • Peace and Freedom Party Central Committee (§7750 et.al.)
  • Libertarian Party Central Committee (follows Peace & Freedom Code §7750 et.al)
  • Green Party County Council (follows some of Peace & Freedom Code & own bylaws)

Extension For Filing

There is no extension for Central Committees or County Council (§8020, 8024).The deadline for filing for office is 88 days before the election.

While the code specifically calls for a 5-day extension for some offices should the incumbent not file for office, there is no such code section calling for an extension of central committee or county council offices. Therefore nominations will close on December 5, 2003

Conditions for the Contest to Appear on Ballot:

DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLICAN
AMERICAN INDEPENDENT
LIBERTARIAN
GREEN
PEACE AND FREEDOM Candidates do not appear on the ballot unless there is a sufficient number of candidates to cause a contested race. Or, if there is an insufficient number of candidates, voters may by E-68 submit a petition signed by 25 qualified voters to run a write-in campaign. In that case, the contest would appear on the ballot. In-lieu of an election, the Board of Supervisors shall declare the candidates for central committee elected. (§7228, 7423, 7673, 7772.).

Conditions for the Contest to Appear on Ballot:

DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLICAN
AMERICAN INDEPENDENT Must file Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Petition with 20 valid signatures for the office of Central Committee. (§7227, 7422, 7672)
Green Must file Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Petition with 20 valid signatures for the office of County Council. No more than 7 candidates may appear on one Nomination Petition. (Pursuant to Green Party County Council rules)
LIBERTARIAN
PEACE AND FREEDOM Must file Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Petition with 20 valid signatures for the office of Central Committee. (§7227, 7422, 7672)

Candidate Qualifications and Office Terms:

Office Jurisdiction Term Begins Qualifications
Central Committees:
  • Republican
  • Democratic
  • American Independent
County - elected by Supervisorial District 2 years See party code U.S. citizen, resident eligible to vote in the Supervisorial District the candidate seeks to represent. (Elec. Code §7200, 7209, 7242, 7407, 7420, 7443, 7650, 7654, 7670, 7692,8001)
Central Committees
  • Libertarian
  • Peace & Freedom
County - elected at large 2 years See party code U.S. citizen, resident eligible to vote in the county. Candidates who qualify for party nomination to partisan public office will automatically appear on the ballot for central committee. (Elec. Code §7750, 7753, 7882, 8001)
County Council
  • Green
County - elected at large 2 years See party code U.S. citizen, resident eligible to vote in the county. (Elec. Code §7750, 7753, 7882, 8001)

Ex Officio Members:

The elected partisan officials or nominees of the following parties are ex-officio members of the central committee in the county where they reside. (§7207, 7405, 7652):

  • Democratic Party
  • Republican Party
  • American Independent Party
  • Green Party