The candidate filing period for elective offices in the November 3, 2026, General Election opened Monday, July 13, 2026.
Candidate forms will be available only during the official filing period and must be completed and submitted by the deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Santa Cruz County Elections:
Candidate filing services will be available at two locations:
— Walk in: 701 Ocean St, Room 310, Santa Cruz
— By appointment only (Tuesdays and Thursdays) until August 6: 500 Westridge Dr, Watsonville. To book an appointment at our Watsonville location please call 454-2423 or 454-3528 or book your appointment online using this booking calendar.
Please call our office prior to arriving at our Santa Cruz office or to your Watsonville appointment to ensure you have all the necessary documents.
Candidate Resources and Forms
None of the offices on the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election ballot have a nomination requirement, so all you need to do is come to our office where you will bring in (or complete in our office), the below documents. Our office will review them and then we will prepare your Declaration of Candidacy. On it you will confirm your name is spelled correctly, we have all the correct information, you will state your qualifications to run for office, and you will take an oath to officially become a candidate.
Below is the list of important resources as well as the documents you may need to complete when you file to be a candidate. Each form is named and has a brief description of what it is used for and why you may need to complete it as part of your candidate journey.
- Candidate Checklist – This is a list for you to use to ensure you keep track of the documents that need to be filed in order to become a candidate.
- Candidate Manual – This manual has a ton of information on becoming a candidate. It describes what you need to file, what is a candidate statement, campaign finance, and so much more!
- Candidate Information Forums – This flyer lists the dates, times and locations for the candidate information forums being held this month. The local city clerk is co-hosting the city council forums. Attend one or all of them!
FPPC forms for candidates: [These forms may be required in every county]
- Form 410 – This form organizes a campaign committee. It is filed with the California Secretary of State.
- Form 460 – This form is what campaign committees file according to the campaign finance filing schedule.
- Form 470 – This form must be filled out by candidates that are not creating a campaign committee.
- Form 501 – All candidates need to fill out this form – it is your intention to run for office. It needs to be filled out each election.
- Form 700 – All candidates need to fill out this form – it lists your economic interests. If you are a current Form 700 filer with the County of Santa Cruz, please let us know and we can allow you to file online through your existing login.
Ballot Designation Worksheet – Your ballot designation is the up to three words that list your principal profession, occupation or vocation. It appears on the ballot under your name. This worksheet is where you list your preferred designation and two alternates. You need to justify why you can use that designation. For example: Teacher/Parent is the ballot designation.The justification would be – I have taught third grade at Boardwalk School since 2010. Call Paula Principal at 831-555-5555 for verification. I became a parent in 2004 when my daughter was born. Call Other Parent at 831-444-4444. There are questions to answer and a place for you to sign on page 2 of the worksheet.
Candidate Statement Agreements:
- Local – This agreement needs to be signed and filed with your 200 (or less) word candidate statement of qualifications. This is for local candidates running for supervisor, school or special district offices.
- State – This agreement needs to be signed and filed with your 250 (or less) word candidate statement of qualifications. This is for candidates running for Congressional or Assembly offices.
*** Please note, if you are planning on submitting a Candidate Statement you must file it at the same time you sign your Declaration of Candidacy. The statement cannot be filed after. ***
Internet Waiver – We will automatically post on our website your name and the office you are running for. If you would like us to list contact information such as website, email, phone number, or address, you will grant us permission to post that information.
Code of Fair Campaign Practices – This optional form pledges that you will run a decent, fair and honest campaign.
Political Signs – If you are planning on having campaign signs, you must register with the CA Department of Transportation. The County does not set the regulations for political signs. Click here for information and the required forms.
Other Forms – Statement of qualifications (some offices), voter registration confidentiality and next steps. Each of these forms will be prepared by our office at the time of filing.
https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/Default.aspx?TabID=12099
County of Monterey Elections:
Monterey County Elections Department, 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, Salinas, CA.
Official nomination documents will be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the filing period
Candidates seeking a city office must file their nomination documents with the
appropriate City Clerk.
In addition to candidate filing services at the Monterey County Elections Office throughout the filing period:
Candidate Filing appointments will be available at the following locations during the specified dates between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- — Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Castroville Library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville
- — Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Carmel Valley Library, 65 W. Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley
- — Friday, July 31, 2026, at King City Library, 402 Broadway St., King City
Interested candidates should schedule an appointment via email at
CandidateServices@countyofmonterey.gov or by phone (831) 796-1499.
Monterey County Candidate Guidelines, with information on which offices are up for election and requirements, are available at www.CountyofMonterey.gov/Elections.
https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/147061/639192691019570000
San Benito County Elections:
Interested in Running for Office?
In general, all candidates for elected office must meet the following requirement:
- Registered to vote at an address within the jurisdiction of the office. For example County Supervisors must reside within the boundaries of the district for which they are running; the Mayor of Hollister must reside within the city limits.
Some elected offices have specific qualifications for candidates. If an office has specific qualifications, click the link next to the office titled “Qualifications” to learn more. If there are no specific qualifications, the link will not be displayed.
You may view our complete Candidate Handbook here.
You can pre-register for your candidate filing paperwork here.
You may see upcoming candidate filing events (deadlines) below, or you may download a PDF version of the Candidate nomination summary calendar of events.
Monterey Bay Matters 
