EARLY

Before June 11, if special districts, school districts, cities or the county are going to submit a measure to the voters in the November election, the governing boards are encouraged to adopt this month a resolution to call the election and consolidate the measure with the November election.

Resolutions calling an election of ballot measures must be accompanied by ballot measure text, if any, and the ballot question containing 75 words or less.

§13247

(E-193 to E-103)

Between these dates, independent candidate for U.S. Senate or House of Representative 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 office.

§8061, 8105, 8106, 8302, 8405

The In-Lieu Petition must be filed by the last day. The Elections Department will notify the candidate of any deficiency within 10 days of filing.

(E-148 to E-88)

Between these dates, independent candidates for partisan office shall circulate their Nomination petitions to obtain signatures and submit them to the Elections Department for examination. If the district falls within two or more counties, the Elections Department shall report within two working days to the Secretary of State the total number of signatures submitted.

§8106

Independent candidates must pay the nonrefundable-filing fee or present a sufficient number of valid in-lieu signatures at the time they receive their Nomination Paper from the county Elections Department.

Independent candidates for legislative offices must have filed Declarations of Intention and satisfied their filing fee (with signatures or money, or a combination) during the pre-primary period or they may not file Nomination Papers. Supplemental signatures-in-lieu or the balance due on the filing fee must be paid before Nomination Papers can be filed.

§8350, 8403, 8454

The Elections Department shall forward the nomination papers to the Secretary of State between July 1 – August 30.

EARLY

By this date, special districts, school districts, cities and the county are encouraged to submit the resolution to consolidate a measure with the November election, measure text (if any), and a 75-word ballot question to the Elections Department.

(E-141 to E-95)

Measures filed after June 11 and by 5 p.m. on July 30, will have a filing schedule developed by the Elections Department setting deadlines for filing arguments, rebuttals, analyses, and the public inspection period.

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submit measure information by June 11 the county elections officials will publish a notice by this date setting the deadline for filing arguments for and against ballot measures for special districts and the county, as well as school district measures, and city measures if so authorized.

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submit their measures for consolidation with the November election early, this is the day the Board of Supervisors would adopt resolutions to consolidate measures.

Should the Board of Supervisors decide a fiscal analysis of a county measure needs to be written by the County Auditor, the Board may direct the Auditor to do so at this meeting. (§9160 & 9400 et seq.)

EARLY

§9190, 9380

(E-127 to E-113)

Between these dates, any city that is consolidating an election with the November General 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

(E-125)

Between these dates the County Clerk, as a matter of policy, 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.

§10509, 10522, 10524

A clause to determine a tie vote is included in the "Notice of Election".

§15651

(E-123)

Last day for a school board to deliver a resolution known as the "Specifications of the Election Order" and file it with the county Superintendent of Schools and county elections official, stating the date and purpose of the election.

Ed. Code §5322

A clause to determine a tie vote is included in the "Specifications of the Elections Order".

Ed. Code §5016

(E-120)

County Holiday – Office Closed

(E-120 to E-90)

Between these dates the County Clerk, as a matter of policy, 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.

Notice of central counting place may be combined with this notice.

§12109

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submitted measure information EARLY, on this date arguments for and against measures will be due, as well as tax rate statements (if applicable). Confirm with the County Elections Official if this is the deadline for filing arguments for your particular measure.

EARLY

§9190, 9380

(E-113 to E-88)

Candidate filing period. Forms are obtained from and filed with the county Elections Department. (§10510, 13307, 13311)

(E-113 to E-88)

Between these dates, candidates may prepare a statement of qualifications, not to exceed 200 words, to be included in the Voter’s Information Pamphlet. 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 August 9^th if the contest closes on the 6^th or August 12^th if the contest closes on the11^th after the extension period.

§13307

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submitted measure information by June 4^th, on this date Rebuttal Arguments will be due. This is also the deadline for the Impartial Analyses & Fiscal Analysis (if applicable).

EARLY

10-day public inspection of analyses, rebuttals and ballot materials for measures that adhered to the EARLY filing dates. 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

(E-94)

Last day to file semiannual campaign statements, if required, by all candidates and committees.

Gov. Code §84200, 84218

(E-94)

Gov. Code §84203.5

FINAL

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. Earlier filing dates are encouraged in order to meet printing schedules.

§10401, 10402

(E-88)

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

§9401

(E-88)

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 general election.

§3005

(E-87 to E-83)

Extension period for anyone other than the incumbent to file a Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Petition if the incumbent did not file by August 6^th. This provision does not apply if there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.

§8022, 8024, 8204

FINAL

§9190, 9380

FINAL

Deadline to submit arguments for or against ballot measures filed in the final days before the August 6 deadline. Confirm with the County Elections Official if this is the deadline for filing arguments for your particular measure.

§9163, 9316

FINAL

§9190, 9380

(E-82)

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

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

§13112

FINAL

For those jurisdictions that submitted measure information during the final week before the August 6 deadline, on this date Rebuttal Arguments, if applicable, will be due by 5 p.m.

§9167, 9317

County Counsel to submit analysis (§9160, 9313) for county and school/special district measures; 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

Rebuttals and analyses are public after the 5 p.m. deadline. (Department policy)

FINAL

10-day public inspection of arguments, analyses, and rebuttals for measures filed during the last week before the August 6 deadline. 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

(E-68)

Last day for the Secretary of State to send to each elections official a list showing the name, party affiliation, 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 general election.

§8148

(E-60)

The first day county election officials may process applications for special absent voters' ballots. The application must include the statement that the voter cannot vote an absentee ballot during the normal absentee voting period of October 4 to October 26, 2004 because of military or other contingencies that preclude normal mail delivery.

§300(b), 3103

(E-60 to E-50)

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 September 3, 2004.

§2187

(E-57)

(E-57 to E-14)

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

§8601

(E-54)

§2184

(E-45)

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

§9096

(E-40 to E-21)

Between these dates the Secretary of State shall mail state ballot pamphlets to all households in which voters were registered by Friday, Sept. 3 (E-60)

§9094

(E-40 to E-10)

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

Between these dates the Secretary of State shall mail state ballot pamphlets to all households in which voters were registered by Friday, Sept. 3 (E-60) The county will do a supplemental mailing of state pamphlets to voters who register after Sept. 3.

§9094,13303, 13304

(E-28)

Last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees covering the period ending September 30 (E-33).

Gov. Code §84200.5, 84200.7(b)

(E-28)

Last day to filed supplemental independent expenditure reports for committees making independent expenditures of $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. Independent expenditure reports are filed at the same time and in the same places as would be required if the filer were primarily formed to support or oppose the candidate, measure, or measure qualification affected by the independent expenditure.

Gov. Code §84203.5

(E-29)

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

(E-29)

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

§9094, 13303

(E-29 to E-7)

Between these dates voters may apply for a vote-by-mail ballot from the Elections Department. Under certain conditions voters may obtain an absentee ballot after October 26.

§3001, 3003

(E-29)

§2184

(E-22)

County Holiday – Office Closed

(E-16 to E-1)

During this time late contribution/independent expenditure reports must be filed by FAX, telegram, mailgram, guaranteed overnight mail or deliver in person.

Gov. Code §84203, 84204

(E-16 to E-1)

Gov. Code §84101, 84108

(E-15)

The county elections official shall accept an affidavit of registration executed as part of a voter registration card in the forthcoming election if the affidavit is executed on or before the 15th day prior to the election, and if any of the following apply:

1) The affidavit is postmarked on or before the 15th day prior to the election and received by mail by the county elections official.

2) The affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973gg) prior to the election.

3) The affidavit is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (2) and (3) on o before the 15th day prior to the election.

§2107

(E-14)

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)

(E-14 to E-7)

Registration for new residents shall begin the 14^th day prior to an election and end on the seventh day prior to election day. This registration must be executed in the county elections office and the new resident shall vote a new resident’s ballot containing the contest of President and Vice President only in the election official’s office.

§332, 3400

Oct. 19 – Oct. 26 (E-14 to E-7)

§331, 3500, 3501

(E-12)

The last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees covering the period from October 1 to October 16.

Gov. Code §84200.5, 84200.7

(E-12)

Last day to filed supplemental independent expenditure reports for committees making independent expenditures of $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. Independent expenditure reports are filed at the same time and in the same places as would be required if the filer were primarily formed to support or oppose the candidate, measure, or measure qualification affected by the independent expenditure.

Gov. Code §84203.5, 82031

(E-10)

§12109

(E-7)

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

(E-6 to E)

Voters unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability or because they will be absent from their precinct on election day, may come to the Elections Department and receive an absentee ballot over the counter. Voters may designate in writing a representative to bring the absentee ballot to them. The voter may either personally or through the authorized representative return the ballot to the Elections Department or polling place in the county.

§3021

(E-4)

The last day for county candidates to file their disclosure statement for the period from October 17 to October 28.

Santa Cruz County Code §8.04.080(2)c

(E-3 to E-2)

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

(Date fixed by law)

Gov. Code §84202.3

(E)

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

§1000, 14212

(E)

On this date, the County Clerk declares elected any incumbent superior court judge who has filed for office but whose name did not appear on either the primary or general election ballots because he or she was unopposed.

§8203

(E+2 to E+28)

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

§15301, 15372

(E+21)

Candidates who filed a Declaration of Candidacy shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors at a regular or special meeting held prior to the first Monday before the first Friday in December. This is the last regularly scheduled board meeting before this statutory deadline.

§10515

(E+27)

No later than the Monday before the first Friday in December, the county elections official shall declare the elected candidate or candidates to all school and special district holding elections in November. As soon as the canvass is completed, the elections official shall prepare a Statement of Vote and send it to the secretary of each participating district. The elections official shall immediately make and deliver to each person elected a certificate of election.

§10551, 10553

(E+28)

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

(E+31)

SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Candidates declared elected or appointed (i.e. as provided in §10515) take office this date at noon after having taken the oath or posted any bond required by the principal act.

§10554

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTS: Candidates elected to school board take office this date pursuant to Ed. Code §5017, though no reference is made to "noon" as is the case in Elec. Code §10554.

(E+34)

Terms begin the first Monday in December following their election.

CA. Const. Art. IV, §2

(E+35)

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

§15375

5 days after canvass

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

6 months following the certification of the vote

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:

a) That the precinct board or any member thereof was guilty of malconduct.

b) That the person who has been declared elected to an office was not, at the time of the election, eligible to that office.

c) 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).

d) That illegal votes were cast.

e) 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.

f) 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:

a) 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.

b) In all cases of tie, 20 days.

c) In cases involving presidential electors, 10 days.

d) In all other cases, 30 days.

§16401

Period Following Election

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 November 2004 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 November 2004 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

(E-90)

Last day to file semiannual campaign statements, if required, by all candidates and committees.

Gov. Code §84200, 84218

(E-90)

Last day to filed supplemental independent expenditure reports for committees making independent expenditures of $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. Independent expenditure reports are filed at the same time and in the same places as would be required if the filer were primarily formed to support or oppose the candidate, measure, or measure qualification affected by the independent expenditure.

Gov. Code §84203.5, 82031