Presidential Primary Election
March 3, 2020 Election Calendar
NOTE: The information below is as accurate as possible, but not every requirement or exception is listed. In the event of a conflict, the date set by statute controls over dates listed below. The Registration & Elections Division reserves the right to update this calendar as necessary.
| Days Prior to Election | Date | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 173 118 |
Thursday, September 12, 2019 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 |
Between these dates, Signatures in Lieu of Filing Fee Petitions are available for all voter-nominated state and nonpartisan countywide offices. EC §§8061, 8105, 8106 |
| 158 | Friday, September 27, 2019 | By this date, the Secretary of State shall issue a notice designating the offices, except those of county officers and judges, for which candidates are to be nominated in the Direct Primary Election. EC §12103 |
| 158 88 |
Friday, September 27, 2019 Friday, December 6, 2019 |
Between these dates is the candidate filing period for County Central Committee candidates. Nomination Papers and Declarations of Candidacy are available during this time. Paperwork must be received by the Registration & Elections Division by the close of business at 5 p.m. on December 6, 2019. No candidate may withdraw his or her Declaration of Candidacy after the close of business at 5 p.m. on December 6, 2019. EC §§8020, 10510, 13107 |
| 148 | Monday, October 7, 2019 | By this date, the Governor shall issue a proclamation calling the election and shall state the time of the election and offices to be filled. EC §12000 |
| 146 | Wednesday, October 9, 2019 | First Candidate Seminar to be held at 10 a.m. at the Registration & Elections Division, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo. First Data Seminar to be held immediately following the Candidate Seminar at the same location. |
| 134 | Monday, October 21, 2019 | Last day for a political party to notify the Secretary of State that it has adopted a rule that allows a person who has no party preference to vote on the ballot of that political party for party-nominated offices in the Primary Election. (Note: Deadline falls on a Sunday. Date is moved to the next day, October 21, 2019, per EC §15) EC §13102(c) |
| 131 | Thursday, October 24, 2019 | Last day for an initiative measure, statewide constitutional amendment, bond measure or other legislative measure to qualify for the Presidential Primary Election ballot on March 3, 2020. EC §9040; Cal. Const. Art. II §8(c) |
| 130 | Friday, October 25, 2019 | (School or Special District Vacancy) Last day for the governing body of a local jurisdiction to call for an election on March 3, 2020 to fill a vacancy. GC §1780; ED §5091(b) |
| 127 118 |
Monday, October 28, 2019 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 |
Between these dates, Declaration of Intentions shall be filed by judicial candidates. If the incumbent of a judicial office fails to file a Declaration of Intention by the end of this period, persons other than the incumbent may file Declarations of Intention no later than November 12, 2019. (Note: Deadline falls on a holiday. Date is moved to the next day, November 12, 2019, per EC §15) EC §§8020, 8023 |
| 127 112 |
Monday, October 28, 2019 Tuesday, November 12, 2019 |
Between these dates, a city shall publish its Notice of Election, stating the offices to be filled and time of election. The City Elections Official shall consolidate the Notice of Election and the Notice of City Measures into one notice if the measure was placed on the ballot prior to the Notice of Election's publication. (Note: Deadline falls on a holiday. Date is moved to next day, November 12, 2019, per EC §15) EC §§12101, 12111 |
| 125 | Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | By this date, Secretary of State shall issue a notice designating the political parties qualified to participate in the Presidential Primary Election. EC §12103 |
| 125 | Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | (Special District Vacancy) Last day for Special Districts to deliver notice of offices to be filled, decisions regarding payment of candidate statements, and a map of the District boundaries. EC §§10509, 10522 |
| 125 | Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | Second Candidate Seminar to be held at 2 p.m. at the Registration & Elections Division, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo. Second Data Seminar to be held immediately following the Candidate Seminar at the same location. |
| 123 | Friday, November 1, 2019 | (School District Vacancy) Last day for a school governing board to deliver a resolution (the "specifications of the election order") to the County Superintendent of Schools and the County Elections Official calling for an election of governing board members. ED §5322 |
| 120 | Monday, November 4, 2019 | (School District Vacancy) Last day for the County Superintendent of Schools to deliver a copy of the official order and formal notice of election of governing board members to the County Elections Official. ED §5325(b) |
| 120 90 |
Monday, November 4, 2019 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 |
Between these dates, the County Elections Official shall publish the Notice of Election (date of election, identification of offices to be filled, statement of required qualifications, where Nomination Documents are available, deadline for filing required forms, statement regarding appointment, the hours of opening and closing of the polls, and related information). The notice of central counting place may be combined with this notice. The County Elections Official shall also issue a press release indicating offices to be filled and a telephone contact number for related information. EC §§10242, 12109, 12112; GC §6061 |
| 118 | Wednesday, November 6, 2019 | Last day to file Signatures in Lieu of Filing Fee Petitions for all voter-nominated state and nonpartisan countywide offices. EC §§8061, 8105, 8106 |
| 118 | Wednesday, November 6, 2019 | Last day for judicial candidates to file a Declaration of Intention. If the incumbent judicial candidate fails to file a Declaration of Intention by this date, persons other than the incumbent may file Declarations of Intention no later than November 12, 2019. (Note: Deadline falls on a holiday. Date is moved to the next day, November 12, 2019, per EC §15 EC §§8020, 8023 |
| 114 | Sunday, November 10, 2019 | (City Vacancy) For a vacancy in a city elective office, this is the last day for the city council to call for a special election for March 3, 2020 to fill the vacancy. The City shall immediately publish the Notice of Election. (NOTE: Because the deadline E-114 falls on a Sunday, the safest option is for the City to take this action by E-116, Friday, November 8, 2019) EC §§12101(b); GC §36512 |
| 113 88 |
Monday, November 11, 2019 Friday, December 6, 2019 |
Between these dates is the candidate filing period. Nomination Papers and Declarations of Candidacy are available during this time. A non-refundable filing fee (if applicable) and optional candidate statement are due at the time of filing. Paperwork must be received by the close of business on December 6, 2019. Candidates filing at the Registration & Elections Division have until 5 p.m.; city candidates should check the hours of their City Clerk's office. No candidate whose Declaration of Candidacy has been filed for any primary election may withdraw as a candidate at that primary election. The candidate statement may be withdrawn but not changed during this period and until 5 p.m. of the next working day (December 9, 2019) after the close of the nomination period. EC §§8020, 8061, 8105, 8800, 10220, 10407, 10510, 10603, 13107, 13307 |
| 112 | Tuesday, November 12, 2019 | If the incumbent of a judicial office fails to file a Declaration of Intention by 5 p.m. on November 6, 2019, persons other than the incumbent may file a Declaration of Intention by 5 p.m. on this date. Filing fee must be paid at the time of filing. EC §§8023(b) |
| 90 0 |
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 |
During this period, a contribution, including a loan, that totals in the aggregate $1,000 or more per source made to or received by a candidate or committee must be reported within 24 hours. GC §§82036, 84203 |
| 88 | Friday, December 6, 2019 | Last day for the Secretary of State to publicly announce and distribute lists of Democratic Party, Republican Party, American Independent Party, and Peace and Freedom Party candidates for the President of the United States that the Secretary of State intends to place on the Presidential Primary Election ballot. EC §§6041, 6340, 6520, 6720-22 |
| 88 83 |
Friday, December 6, 2019 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 |
Between these dates is the extended candidate filing period. If an eligible incumbent does not file Nomination Documents by December 6, 2019 at 5 p.m., the filing period is extended for that office until December 11, 2019 at 5 p.m., for any person other than the incumbent. This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected. EC §§8022, 8024, 10407 |
| 88 | Friday, December 6, 2019 | (School District Measure) Last day for a school governing board to deliver a resolution (the "specifications of the election order") to the County Elections Official calling for an election on a measure. ED §5322 |
| 88 | Friday, December 6, 2019 | Last day for a local entity to deliver a resolution requesting election services and consolidation from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for the March 3, 2020 Election. A copy of the resolution of the governing board requesting the consolidation shall be submitted to the County Elections Official. A copy of the exact form of the question, proposition, or office to appear on the ballot must also be submitted. EC §§1405, 10002, 10403(a)(b), 12001 |
| 88 | Friday, December 6, 2019 | Last day for candidates to submit Nomination Documents (Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Papers) and candidate statement (optional), due by 5 p.m. to the Registration & Elections Division. City candidates should check the hours of their City Clerk's office. EC §§8020, 10220, 10224, 10407(a), 10510, 10603, 13107, 13307 |
| 88 | Friday, December 6, 2019 | Last day for city, school or special district candidates who have qualified for the ballot to withdraw their candidacy. School and special district candidates have until 5 p.m.; city candidates should check the hours of their City Clerk's office. EC §§10510(a), 10603(b). |
| 88 78 |
Friday, December 6, 2019 Monday, December 16, 2019 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins December 6, 2019 at 5 p.m. and ends December 16, 2019 at 5 p.m. for all documents filed as of the filing deadline of December 6, 2019. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter eligible to vote on the contest in question may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading, or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Documents subject to this review include ordinances, measures, candidate filing documents and candidate statements. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 88 78 |
Friday, December 6, 2019 Monday, December 16, 2019 |
Between these dates, anyone seeking to run as a write-in candidate for a Superior Court judge office where only the incumbent has filed Nomination Documents must file a petition indicating a write-in campaign will be conducted. The petition must be signed by at least 0.1 percent of the registered voters qualified to vote with respect to the office, provided that the petition shall contain at least 100 signatures but need not contain more than 600 signatures. EC §§8203 |
| 85 | Monday, December 9, 2019 | Except as provided in EC §13309, this date is the last day (until 5 p.m.) for a candidate to withdraw the candidate's statement. Candidates may withdraw, but not change their statements. EC §13307(a)(3) |
| 85 | Monday, December 9, 2019 | The County Elections Official shall publish a notice regarding county, school district and special district measures, the dates for submitting Primary Arguments and Rebuttals, the 10-calendar-day public review period, the hours of opening and closing of the polls, and the central ballot counting location. EC §§9163, 9502, 10242, 12109; GC §6061 |
| 83 | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 | Extended candidate filing period closes at 5 p.m. on this date. Extended filing periods occur when an eligible incumbent does not file for re-election; the extension only applies to non-incumbent candidates for such an office. City candidates shall file paperwork with their City Clerk's office; all other candidates shall file with the County Elections Official. EC §§8022, 8024, 10407(b), 10225, 10516, 10604 |
| 83 | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 | Last day for an order of election calling for a ballot measure to be amended or withdrawn. A resolution of the legislative body that issued the order of election must be filed with the Elections Official by this date in order to amend or withdraw a ballot measure. EC §9605 |
| 83 73 |
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Saturday, December 21, 2019 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins December 11, 2019 at 5 p.m. and ends December 21, 2019 at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the extended filing deadline of December 11, 2019. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter eligible to vote on the contest in question, may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Documents subject to this review include ordinances, measures, Nomination Documents and candidate statements. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 82 | Thursday, December 12, 2019 | Randomized Alphabet Drawings are conducted by both the Secretary of State and County Elections Official on this date at 11 a.m. to determine the order in which candidate names will appear on the ballot and the letters that will be assigned to each ballot measure. EC §§13111-113, 13116 |
| 82 | Thursday, December 12, 2019 | Last day for candidates for offices with extended filing deadline of December 11, 2019 to withdraw their candidate statement. The statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, until 5 p.m. EC §§13307(a)(3) |
| 81 | Friday, December 13, 2019 | For consolidated elections, the names of the candidates to appear on the ballot where district, city or other political subdivision offices are to be filled shall be filed with the County Elections Official by this date. EC §10403(c) |
| 81 | Friday, December 13, 2019 | Primary Arguments in favor of and against local measures are due by 5 p.m. on this date. Such arguments, if already submitted, may be changed until and including this day. Arguments for city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. Contact the City Clerk's office for deadline. EC §§9162-63, 9282-83, 9286, 9315-16, 9501-03 |
| 81 71 |
Friday, December 13, 2019 Monday, December 23, 2019 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins December 13, 2019 at 5 p.m. and ends December 23, 2019 at 5 p.m. for Primary Arguments filed in favor of and against local measures. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter eligible to vote on the contest in question may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Arguments for city measures are reviewed at the City Clerk's office. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 78 | Monday, December 16, 2019 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by December 6, 2019. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed by the candidate filing period deadline of December 6, 2019. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 78 | Monday, December 16, 2019 | Last day for anyone seeking to run as a write-in candidate for a Superior Court judge office where only the incumbent has filed Nomination Documents to file a petition indicating a write-in campaign will be conducted. The petition must be signed by at least 0.1 percent of the registered voters qualified to vote with respect to the office, provided that the petition shall contain at least 100 signatures but need not contain more than 600 signatures. EC §§8203 |
| 73 | Saturday, December 21, 2019 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the extended filing deadline of December 11, 2019. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed as of the close of the extended candidate filing on December 11, 2019. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 71 | Monday, December 23, 2019 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. on this date for all Primary Arguments filed in favor of and against local measures. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed as of December 13, 2019. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 71 | Monday, December 23, 2019 | Rebuttal Arguments for measures where a Primary Argument was filed both in favor of and against are on the date due by 5 p.m. Such arguments may be changed until and including this date. Rebuttal Arguments for city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. Check with the City Clerk's office for deadline. EC §§9163, 9167, 9285-86, 9316-17, 9504 |
| 71 | Monday, December 23, 2019 | Impartial Analyses for measures are due on this date by 5 p.m. EC §§9160, 9280, 9313-14, 9500 |
| 71 61 |
Monday, December 23, 2019 Thursday, January 2, 2020 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins December 23, 2019 at 5 p.m. and ends January 02, 2020 at 5 p.m. for Rebuttal Arguments filed in favor of and/or against local measures and Impartial Analyses. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter eligible to vote on the contest in question may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Rebuttal Arguments and Impartial Analyses for city measures are reviewed at the City Clerk's office. Contact the City Clerk's office for deadline. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 68 | Thursday, December 26, 2019 | Last day for a candidate to withdraw his or her name from the Secretary of State list of recognized Democratic Party, Republican Party, American Independent Party, and Peace and Freedom Party candidates for the President of the United States by filing with the Secretary of State an affidavit. EC §§6042 6341, 6521, 6723 |
| 68 | Thursday, December 26, 2019 | Certified List of Candidates. By this date, the Secretary of State shall provide a certified list of qualified Federal and State Legislative candidates, including ballot rotation lists, to the County Election Offices. EC §§8120-8125 |
| 61 | Thursday, January 2, 2020 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends on this date at 5 p.m. for all Rebuttal Arguments filed in favor of and/or against local measures and Impartial Analyses. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed by December 23, 2019. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 61 | Thursday, January 2, 2020 | Any city that requests the Board of Supervisors to permit the Elections Official to prepare the city's election materials shall supply the County Elections Official with a list of its precincts, or consolidated precincts, as applicable, no later than this date. EC §10002 |
| 60 45 |
Friday, January 3, 2020 Saturday, January 18, 2020 |
Between these dates, the County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting materials to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications by January 18, 2020. EC §§300(b), 3105, 3114 |
| 57 14 |
Monday, January 6, 2020 Tuesday, February 18, 2020 |
Between these dates, write-in candidates must file a statement of write-in candidacy and other required documentation with the County Elections Official. City candidates must file their paperwork with their City Clerk's office. EC §§8600-05 |
| 45 | Saturday, January 18, 2020 | County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting material to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications by January 18, 2020. EC §§300(b), 3105, 3114 |
| 40 21 |
Thursday, January 23, 2020 Tuesday, February 11, 2020 |
Between these dates, the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet and the State Voter Information Guide will begin mailing to each voter who is registered at least 29 days prior to the election. EC §§9094, 13303-04 |
| 40 | Thursday, January 23, 2020 | First pre-election campaign committee statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending January 18, 2020 (which is 45 days before the election). GC §§84200.5, 84200.8 |
| Fixed Date | Friday, January 31, 2020 | Except as provided in GC §84200 paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), elected officials, candidates and committees pursuant to subdivision (a) of GC §82013 and slate mailer organizations shall file semiannual statements no later than this date for the period ending December 31, 2019. GC §§82013, 84200, 84218 |
| 29 7 |
Monday, February 3, 2020 Tuesday, February 25, 2020 |
Between these dates, Vote by Mail ballots will be sent to all registered voters in the county. Voters interested in having replacement Vote by Mail ballots be mailed to them should make the request by February 25, 2020 to ensure the ballots arrive on or before Election Day. EC §§3001, 4005(a)(8)(A) |
| 29 | Monday, February 3, 2020 | Early voting period starts on this day, with three Vote Centers opening in San Mateo, Redwood City and South San Francisco. |
| 28 0 |
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 |
Between these dates, at least one ballot drop-off location shall be provided for every 15,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on December 6 (i.e., 88 days before Election Day). All ballot drop-off locations shall be open at least during regular business hours. At least one ballot drop-off location shall be an accessible, secured, exterior drop box that is available for a minimum of 12 hours per day including regular business hours. EC §§4005 (a)(1)(A),(B) |
| 14 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | Voter registration closes on this date for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election. Voters must register by this date to be eligible to vote in this election. Voter registration forms postmarked prior to or on this date are accepted. (Note: Deadline falls on a holiday. Date is moved to next day, February 18, 2019, per EC §15) EC §2102 |
| 14 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | Processing of Vote by Mail ballots may begin on this date (10 business days before Election Day). Processing Vote by Mail ballots includes opening Vote by Mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots and preparing the ballots to be machine read, or machine reading them, including processing write-in votes so that they can be tallied by the machine, but under no circumstances may a vote count be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on Election Day. EC §15101(b) |
| 14 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | The Candidate Filing Period for write-in candidates ends on this date at 5 p.m. All potential candidates must submit all required documents by this date in order to be a qualified write-in candidate. City candidates must file their paperwork with their City Clerk's office. City candidates should contact their City Clerk's office for deadline. EC §§8601-05 |
| 13 0 |
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 |
Between these dates, individuals who become new United States citizens on or after February 19, 2020, are eligible to register and vote at the any Vote Center. A new citizen registering during this time must provide proof of citizenship and declare that he or she has established residency in California. (Note: Voter Registration deadline falls on a holiday and is moved to next day per EC §15. As a result, the starting date for this period is also moved from February 18 to February 19, 2019.) EC §§331, 3500, 3501 |
| 13 0 |
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 |
Between these dates, the County Elections Official shall provide Conditional Voter Registration and provisional voting at all Vote Centers for voters who missed the February 18, 2020 deadline. (Note: Voter Registration deadline falls on a holiday and is moved to next day per EC §15. As a result, the starting date for this period is also moved from February 18 to February 19, 2019.) EC §§2170-71 |
| 12 | Thursday, February 20, 2020 | Second pre-election campaign committee statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending February 15, 2020 (which is 17 days before the election). GC §§84200.5, 84200.8 |
| 10 4 |
Saturday, February 22, 2020 Friday, February 28, 2020 |
Between these dates, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one Vote Center is provided for every 50,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on December 6, 2019 (i.e., 88 days before Election Day). Any voter registered in the county may visit any Vote Center in order to receive voter services or vote. EC §4005(a)(2), (a)(4)(A) |
| 7 | Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | By this date (one week before Election Day), the County shall publish a list of the polling places (Vote Centers) designated for each election precinct for the election. EC §12105 |
| 7 | Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | Last day for voters to request a replacement Vote by Mail ballot to be mailed to them. EC §3001 |
| 7 | Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | Last day for voters to request the County Elections Official to send a Vote by Mail ballot in Spanish or Chinese, or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in Filipino or Korean. EC §4005(a)(8)(B)(III) |
| 7 | Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | Last day for voters to request the County Elections Official to send or deliver a ballot that voters with disabilities can read and mark privately and independently pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.). EC §4005(a)(8)(B)(IV) |
| 3 0 |
Saturday, February 29, 2020 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 |
Between these dates, for a minimum of eight hours per day (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day), at least one Vote Center is provided for every 10,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on December 6, 2019 (i.e., 88 days before Election Day). Any voter registered in the county may visit any Vote Center in order to receive voter services or vote. EC §4005(a)(2)(A), (a)(3)(A) |
| 0 | Tuesday, March 3, 2020 | Election Day. All Vote Centers open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Semifinal official canvass commences upon the closing of all polls at 8 p.m. EC §§1000, 4005(a), 14212, 15150, 15151 |
| Days Following Election | Date | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Friday, March 6, 2020 | Vote by Mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must be received by the County Elections Officials by this date in order to be counted. EC §3020 |
| 30 | Thursday, April 2, 2020 | Last day for the County Elections Official to certify the election results to the jurisdictions participating in the election. EC §15372 |
Key to Statutory References
§ or §§: Section or Sections
EC: California Elections Code
ED: California Education Code
GC: California Government Code
All California Codes may be referenced online at: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml