November 6, 2018 Statewide General Election
Important dates for jurisdictions calling elections

The materials contained in this calendar represent the research and opinions of the staff at the Santa Cruz County Elections Department.  The contents of this calendar and any legal interpretations contained herein are not to be relied upon as being correct either factually or as legal opinion.  Reliance on the content without prior submission to and approval of your appropriate public counsel is at the reader’s risk. 

May/June 2018

Suggested time for jurisdictions holding elections in November to pass a resolution that 1) orders the election; 2) requests the Santa Cruz County Elections Department to conduct the election, and 3) consolidates it with any other jurisdiction holding an election on that same day.

The following documents can be found on our website at www.votescount.com

  • Sample Resolution for School Districts
  • Sample Resolution for Cities/Special District

August 10, 2018

Last day to call an election or file for office. If the incumbent does not file, filing is extended for 5 calendar days for anyone other than the incumbent.

August 10, 2018

Deadline for filing tax rate statement for bond measures. Last day to file Tax Rate Statement for any bond measure appearing on the November ballot.           

August 17, 2018

Deadline for filing arguments for or against Santa Cruz County ballot measures put on the ballot by the County, Special Districts or School Districts.

Deadline for filing analyses of Santa Cruz County ballot measures put on the ballot by the County, Special Districts or School Districts.

For City measures, contact the City Clerk.

For measures that cross county lines, contact the lead county.

August 24, 2018

Deadline for filing rebuttals to arguments for or against Santa Cruz County ballot measures put on the ballot by the County, Special Districts or School Districts. .

September 7, 2018

First day to mail ballots to military and overseas voters

October 8*, 2018

First day to mail ballots to vote-by-mail voters.

October 22, 2018

Last day to register to vote in November 2018 election.
October 23 to November 6, 2018 Same Day Voter Registration. If you missed the deadline to register to vote, you can still register and vote on the same day at the Santa Cruz County Elections Office or Watsonville City Clerk's Office.

November 3 & 4, 2018

Weekend voting – open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Santa Cruz County Elections and Watsonville Civic Plaza.

November 6, 2018

Election Day – polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

*date falls on a holiday, so activity is moved to the next business day. 

For more information, please contact: