Filing Period Opens September 7 and Ends October 20 at 5 p.m.
September 4, 2020

Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: Jim Irizarry, Assistant Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

(Redwood City, CA) The period to file as a write-in candidate for the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election opens on September 7th. However, since September 7th is Labor Day (Holiday), the Registration and Elections Division will be closed. Therefore, the filing period will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Eligible persons seeking to run as a write-in candidate must file a Statement of Write-in Candidacy and other documentation by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Write-in candidacy documents for school and special district offices are filed at the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402. City candidates must file their paperwork with their City Clerk’s office.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly encourage write-in candidates to take advantage of the new and convenient electronic candidate filing option to ensure the health and safety of all. Candidates may begin the filing process by emailing Candidate Services Supervisor, Michael Lui, a completed “Candidate Registration Form” available on our website at www.smcacre.org/november-3-2020-presidential-general-election. On the form, candidates will indicate whether they would like to file electronically or in-person (appointments are recommended). Upon receiving this form, our office will call the write-in candidate to schedule an electronic or in-person filing appointment to complete the filing process.

Our Candidate Services Supervisor, Michael Lui, is available at 650.312.5238 and mlui@smcacre.org to answer write-in candidates’ questions, assist with appointments, and review the steps, forms, and requirements for a successful filing.

Potential write-in candidates must file a Statement of Write-In Candidacy, providing the candidate’s name and residential address, a declaration of candidacy for a specifically named office, the specific election date, and a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). No filing fee or charge is required.

Information concerning qualified write-in candidates, including their names, will not be printed on voting materials provided to voters such as the Official Ballot or the Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. However, the Roster of Candidates, which includes qualified write-in candidates, is updated every day and can be viewed online at www.smcacre.org. Additionally, a list of qualified write-in candidates will be available at Vote Centers beginning Wednesday, October 21.

November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election COVID-19 Prepared

Voting in San Mateo County will be safe and secure. Vote Centers will follow COVID-19 procedures. For more information on the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election, please call 650.312.5222, visit www.smcvote.org or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @smcvote.

Related Contacts

Mark Church

Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665Get Directions
Phone:
650.363.4988

Jim Irizarry

Asst. Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Asst. Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665Get Directions
Phone:
650.363.4988