Presidential General Election

November 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
148 Monday, June 8, 2020 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
131 Thursday, June 25, 2020 Last day for a statewide initiative measure, constitutional amendment, bond measure or other legislative measure to qualify for the Presidential General Election ballot on November 3, 2020.
EC §9040; Cal. Const. Art. II §8(c)
130 Friday, June 26, 2020 (School or Special District Vacancy) Last day for the governing body of a local jurisdiction to call an election on November 3, 2020 to fill a vacancy.
GC §1780(e); ED §5091(b)
127

113
Monday, June 29, 2020

Monday, July 13, 2020
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.
EC §§12101, 12111
125 Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Last day for special districts governed by the Uniform District Election Law to notify County Elections Official of offices to be filled, specifying which offices, if any, are for the balance of an unexpired term, decisions regarding payment of candidate statements, and a map showing the boundaries of the district and the boundaries of the divisions of the district, if any, within that county and a statement indicating in which divisions a director is to be elected and whether any elective officer is to be elected at large.
EC §§10509, 10522
123 Friday, July 3, 2020 Last day for a school district 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, July 6, 2020 Last day for the County Superintendent of Schools to deliver an official order and formal notice of election of school district board members to the County Elections Official.
ED §5325(b)
120

90
Monday, July 6, 2020

Wednesday, August 5, 2020
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; ED §5363
118 Wednesday, July 8, 2020 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 end of the Candidate Seminar at the same location. (Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the seminars may be held virtually.)
114 Sunday, July 12, 2020 (City Vacancy) For a vacancy in a city election office, this is the last day for the city council to call a special election for November 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, July 10, 2020)
EC §§12101(b); GC §36512(b)
113

88
Monday, July 13, 2020

Friday, August 7, 2020
Between these dates is the candidate filing period. Nomination Papers and Declarations of Candidacy are available during this time. Paperwork must be received by the close of business on August 7, 2020. City candidates shall file paperwork with their City Clerk's office and should check the business hours of their City Clerk's office; all other candidates shall file with the County Elections Official by 5 p.m. on August 7, 2020. Local candidates may purchase space for a Candidate Statement in the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. The Candidate Statement may be withdrawn but not changed during this period and until 5 p.m. of the next working day (Monday, August 10, 2020) after the close of the nomination period.
EC §§10220, 10224, 10407, 10510, 10603, 13107, 13307
113

88
Monday, July 13, 2020

Friday, August 7, 2020
Between these dates, candidates for U.S. House of Representative, State Senate and Assembly may purchase space for a 250-word Candidate Statement in the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. State Senate and Assembly candidates may do so only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501).
EC §§13307, 13307.5; GC §85601(c)
103 Thursday, July 23, 2020 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 end of the Candidate Seminar at the same location. (Due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, the seminars may be held virtually.)
98 Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Last day that any candidate may request in writing a different ballot designation than was used at the primary election. The written request shall be accompanied by a Ballot Designation Worksheet.
EC §13107(h)
Fixed Date Friday, July 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 June 30, 2020.
GC §§82013, 84200, 84218
90

0
Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Tuesday, November 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, August 7, 2020 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, August 7, 2020 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 November 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, August 7, 2020 Last day for candidates to submit Nomination Documents (Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Papers) and Candidate Statement (optional). City candidates shall file paperwork with their City Clerk's office and should check the business hours of their City Clerk's office; all other candidates shall file with the County Elections Official by 5 p.m. on this date.
EC §§10220, 10224, 10407(a), 10510, 10603, 13307, 13307
88 Friday, August 7, 2020 Last day for a city, school or special district candidate who has qualified for the ballot to withdraw their candidacy. School and special district candidates have until 5 p.m.; city candidates should check the business hours of their City Clerk's office.
EC §§10510(a), 10603(b)
88 Friday, August 7, 2020 Last day for U.S. House of Representative, State Senate and Assembly candidates may purchase space for a Candidate Statement in the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. State Senate and Assembly candidates may do so only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501).
EC §§13307, 13307.5; GC §85601(c)
88

78
Friday, August 7, 2020

Monday, August 17, 2020
The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins August 7, 2020 at 5 p.m. and ends August 17, 2020 at 5 p.m. for all documents filed as of the filing deadline of August 7, 2020. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, 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 resolutions, ordinances, declarations and candidate statements.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313
88

83
Friday, August 7, 2020

Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Between these dates is the extended candidate filing period. If an eligible incumbent does not file Nomination Documents by August 7, 2020 at 5 p.m., the filing period is extended for that office for five calendar days until August 12, 2020 at 5 p.m., for any person other than the incumbent. City candidates shall file paperwork with their City Clerk's office and should check the business hours of their City Clerk's office; all other candidates shall file with the County Elections Official by 5 p.m. on August 12, 2020. This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.
EC §§10407(b), 10225, 10516, 10604
85 Monday, August 10, 2020 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, August 10, 2020 The County Elections Official will publish a notice regarding County, school district and special district measures, the dates for submitting Primary and Rebuttal Arguments, and the 10-calendar-day public examination period.
EC §§9163, 9502; GC §6061
83 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Extended candidate filing period closes by 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 and should check the business hours of their City Clerk's office; all other candidates shall file with the County Elections Official by 5 p.m. on this date.
EC §§10407(b), 10225, 10516, 10604
83 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 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 today in order to amend or withdraw a ballot measure.
EC §9605
83 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Last day for any qualified political party to submit to the County Elections Official a list of all candidates for voter-nominated offices who will appear on any ballot in the County, and who have been endorsed by the party. The County Elections Official shall print any such list that is timely received in the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet.
EC §13302(b)
83 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 For the office of superior court judge, this date is the last day to file a petition indicating that a write-in campaign will be conducted for the office at the general election, 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. If such a petition is filed by this date, the name of the incumbent shall be placed on the general election ballot if it has not appeared on the direct primary election ballot.
EC §8203
83

73
Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Saturday, August 22, 2020
The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins August 12, 2020 at 5 p.m. and ends August 22, 2020 at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the extended filing deadline of August 12, 2020. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, 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 resolutions, ordinances, declarations and candidate statements.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313
82 Thursday, August 13, 2020 Randomized Alphabet Drawings open to the public 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 §§13111-13113, 13116
82 Thursday, August 13, 2020 This is the last day for candidates who filed paperwork during the extended filing period to withdraw their Candidate Statements until 5 p.m. Candidates may withdraw, but not change their statements.
EC §§13307(a)(3)
81 Friday, August 14, 2020 For consolidated elections, the names of the candidates to appear upon 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, August 14, 2020 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 in favor of and against 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, August 14, 2020

Monday, August 24, 2020
The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins August 14, 2020 at 5 p.m. and ends August 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. for Primary Arguments filed in favor of and against local measures. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, 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 in favor of and against city measures are reviewed at the City Clerk's office. Contact the City Clerk's office for deadline.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509
78 Monday, August 17, 2020 The 10-calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by August 7, 2020. 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 August 7, 2020.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313
73 Saturday, August 22, 2020 The 10-calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by August 12, 2020. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed by the extended candidate filing period deadline of August 12, 2020.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313
71 Monday, August 24, 2020 The 10-calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. today 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 by the deadline of August 14, 2020.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509
71 Monday, August 24, 2020 Rebuttal Arguments for measures where a Primary Argument was filed both in favor and against are due by 5 p.m. Such arguments may be changed until and including this date. Arguments in favor of and against city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. Contact the City Clerk's office for deadline.
EC §§9163, 9167, 9285-86, 9316-17, 9504
71 Monday, August 24, 2020 Impartial Analyses for measures are due on this date by 5 p.m.
EC §§9160, 9280, 9313-14, 9500
71

61
Monday, August 24, 2020

Thursday, September 3, 2020
The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins August 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. and ends September 3, 2020 at 5 p.m. for Rebuttal Arguments filed in favor and/or against local measures and Impartial Analyses. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, 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
61 Thursday, September 3, 2020 The 10-Calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. today 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 the deadline of August 24, 2020.
EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509
61 Thursday, September 3, 2020 Any city that requests the Board of Supervisors to permit the County 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, September 4, 2020

Saturday, September 19, 2020
Between these dates, the County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting materials to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications.
EC §§300(b), 3105, 3114
57

14
Monday, September 7, 2020

Tuesday, October 20, 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 and should check the business hours of their City Clerk's office.
EC §§8600-05
45 Saturday, September 19, 2020 County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting material to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications by this date.
EC §§300(b), 3105, 3114
40 Thursday, September 24, 2020 First pre-election campaign committee statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending September 19, 2020 (which is 45 days before the election).
GC §§84200.5, 84200.8(a)
40

21
Thursday, September 24, 2020

Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Between these dates, the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet and the State Voter Information Guide will be mailed to each voter who is registered at least 29 days before the election.
EC §§9094, 13303-04
29

7
Monday, October 5, 2020

Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Between these dates, Vote by Mail ballots will be mailed 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 October 27, 2020 to ensure the ballots arrive on or before Election Day.
EC §4005(a)(8)
29 Monday, October 5, 2020 Processing of Vote by Mail ballots may begin on this date (29 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)(2)
28

0
Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Tuesday, November 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 August 7, 2020 (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)
15 Monday, October 19, 2020 Voter registration closes on this date for the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election. Voters must register by this date to be eligible to vote non-provisionally in this election. Voter registration forms postmarked prior to or on this date are accepted.
EC §§2102
14 Tuesday, October 20, 2020 The write-in candidate filing period 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 check the business hours of their City Clerk's office.
EC §§8600-05
14

0
Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Between these dates, individuals who become new United States citizens on or after October 20, 2020, are eligible to register and vote at any Vote Center. A new citizen registering during this time must provide proof of citizenship prior to voting and declare that he or she has established residency in California.
EC §§331, 3500-01
14

0
Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Between these dates, the Elections Official shall provide Conditional Voter Registration and provisional voting for voters who missed the October 19 registration deadline at all Vote Centers.
EC §§2170-73
12 Thursday, October 22, 2020 Second pre-election campaign committee statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending October 17, 2020 (which is 17 days before the election).
GC §§84200.5, 84200.8(b)
7 Tuesday, October 27, 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, October 27, 2020 Last Day for voters to request a replacement Vote by Mail ballot to be mailed to them.
EC §4005(a)(8)(A)
7 Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Last day for voters to request the County Elections Official to send a Vote by Mail ballot in English, Spanish or Chinese, or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in Filipino, Korean, Burmese, Japanese, or Hindu.
EC §4005(a)(8)(B))(i)(III)
7 Tuesday, October 27, 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))(i)(IV)
3

0
Saturday, October 31, 2020

Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Between these dates, for a minimum of eight hours per day (7 a.m. to 8 p.m., inclusive, 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 August 7, 2020 (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, November 3, 2020 Election Day. All Vote Centers open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Semifinal official canvass commences immediately upon the closing of all polls at 8 p.m.
EC §§1000, 4005, 14212, 15150-51

 

Days Following Election Date Action Taken
17 Friday, November 20, 2020 Vote by Mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must be received by the County Elections Official by this date in order to be counted.
EC §3020(d)
13 Thursday, December 3, 2020 Last day for the County Elections Official to certify the election results to the jurisdictions participating in the election.
EC §15372
38 Friday, December 11, 2020 Last day for Secretary of State to prepare, certify, and file a statement of the vote from the compiled elections returns. The Secretary of State issues to each elected candidate a certificate of election.
EC §§15501, 15504

Reference
§ or §§: Section or Sections
EC: California Elections Code
ED: California Education Code
GC: California Government Code

All above California Codes may be referenced online at: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml