EARLY

Before October 15, if special districts, school districts, cities or the county are going to submit a measure to the voters in the March election, the governing boards are encouraged to adopt this month a resolution to call the election and consolidate the measure with the March 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.

Click here for school resolution    Click here for city/special district resolution

§13247

(E-158 to E-118)

Between these dates, a partisan or independent legislative candidate and a judicial candidate 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

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-158 to E-103)

Between these dates, candidates for the offices of U.S. Senate, Congress and County Board of Supervisor 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, 8106

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-158)

At least 158 days before the primary, the Secretary of State shall prepare and transmit to each county election’s official a notice designating all the offices, except those of county officers and judges, for which candidates are to be nominated.

§12103

(E-154)

The last day any person may register to vote and declare intention to affiliate with a particular party in order to qualify that party to participate in the March 2, 2004 primary election candidate nominating process.

§2187, 5100

(E-154 to E-135)

During this period, each county elections official shall prepare to send to the Secretary of State a summary statement of the number of persons registered by party affiliation, by county, and by each political subdivision.

§2187

(E-150 to E-120)

During this period, the Secretary of State will announce and publicize the list of names of those persons, nationally recognized as candidates for President, who will appear on the primary ballot. Following this announcement, candidates may be added, but they may not be deleted. All candidates may withdraw their names in writing at any time through January 3, 2004.

§6041-6043, 6340-6342, 6520-6522, 6720-6724

(E-141)

County Holiday – Office Closed

EARLY

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

(E-135)

The last day for the Secretary of State to determine whether a new political party has qualified either by registration or by filing a petition.

§5100

Minimum registration required: 77,389

Signatures required for petition: 773,883

(E-127 to E-118)

Between these dates, partisan and independent legislative and judicial candidates file their Declaration of Intention with the Elections Department or Secretary of State's Office. Candidates must pay the entire filing fee at this time, represented by money, signatures or any prorated combination of money and signatures. The filing fee is non-refundable.

Independent legislative candidates file their Declarations of Intention during this timeframe and then will file their nomination papers during the pre-general timeframe of July 12 to August 6, 2004.

§8022(a), 8103-8106, 8350

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submit their measures for consolidation with the March 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

For those jurisdictions that submit measure information by October 15, 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.

(E-127 to E-113)

Between these dates, any city that is consolidating an election with the March primary 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-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

(E-117 to E-113)

If the incumbent has not filed a Declaration of Intention to succeed to the same office, then any other person, other than the incumbent, may file such a declaration during the extension period.

§8022, 8023, 8350

suggested date

§7226, 7421

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submitted measure information by October 15, on this date arguments for and against measures will be due, as well as tax rate statements (if applicable).

(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 for judicial, county & State Legislative offices 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 Dec. 8^th if the contest closes on the 5^th or Dec. 11^th if the contest closes on the10^th after the extension period.

§13307

(E-112)

County Holiday – Office Closed

EARLY

For those jurisdictions that submitted measure information by October 15, 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 arguments, analyses, rebuttals and ballot materials for measures filed by October 15. 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

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 March 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 December 5. This provision does not apply if there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.

§8022, 8024, 8204

FINAL

Deadline to submit arguments for or against ballot measures filed after October 15.

§9163, 9316

(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

(E-78)

Last day to file a petition indicating that a write-in campaign will be conducted against an unopposed superior court judicial candidate who has filed Nomination papers. The petition must be signed by 100 registered voters qualified to vote on the office. Write-in candidates must file between January 5 and February 17.

§8203, 8600-8604

FINAL

For those jurisdictions that submitted measure information after October 15, on this date Rebuttal Arguments 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, rebuttals and ballot materials for measures filed after October 15. 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-69 to 68)

Office closed beginning at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 24. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26.

(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 February 2 to February 24, 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 January 2, 2004.

§2187

(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-52)

Gov. Code §84200.3 84200.4

(E-52)

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 being voted upon in the primary. 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-45)

(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, Jan. 2 (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, Jan. 2 (E-60) The county will do a supplemental mailing of state pamphlets to voters who register after Jan. 2.

§9094,13303, 13304

(E-40)

Last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees covering the period ending January 17, 2004 (E-45).

Gov. Code §84200.5, 84200.7(a)

(E-40)

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 Feb. 24.

§3001, 3003

(E-29)

§2184

(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-15)

County Holiday – Office Closed

(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

(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 1-18-04 to 2-14-04.

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 2-15-04 to 2-26-04.

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.

(E)

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

§1000, 14212

(E+2 to E+28)

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

§15301, 15372

(E+20)

The results for all persons voted for at the presidential primary for delegates to national conventions shall be canvassed and shall be sent within 20 days after the election.

§15375(c)

(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+28)

Any candidate for a nonpartisan office who at a primary election receives a majority of the votes cast for candidates for that office shall be elected to that office. The office shall not appear on the general election ballot, notwithstanding the death, resignation, or other disqualification of the candidate at a time subsequent to the primary election.

§8140

(E+28)

If no candidate has been elected to a nonpartisan office where only one person may be elected, then the two candidates who received the highest number of votes cast for nomination to that office shall appear on the November ballot.

§8141

In the case of a tie vote, both candidates will appear on the November ballot. In no case shall the candidates determine the tie by lot.

§8142

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

(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

(E+38)

The county elections official will prepare certificates of election for each member elected to a central committee or county council as well as certificates of nomination for each candidate nominated for nonpartisan offices voted for wholly within one county.

§8145, 8146

The Secretary of State will prepare certificates of nomination for Congressional and Legislative candidates.

§8147

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 March 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 March 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

(Date fixed by law)

Gov. Code §84202.3

(E-151)

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

Gov. Code §84200, 84218

(E-151)

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