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

(Redwood City, CA) Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer and Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, announced today that the filing period for local write-in candidates to qualify for the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

"The filing deadline for write-in candidates is quickly approaching, and I encourage all interested individuals to start the process as soon as possible to ensure they have enough time to complete all requirements," said Church.

For county, school, and special district offices, write-in candidacy documents must be filed at the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division, located at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling (650) 312-5222 or emailing candidateservices@smcacre.gov. City candidates must file their paperwork with their respective City Clerk’s office.

Potential write-in candidates are required to file a Statement of Write-In Candidacy, which includes the candidate’s name, residential address, and a declaration of candidacy for a specific office and election date. Additionally, they must submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). There is no filing fee or charge associated with this process.

Information concerning qualified write-in candidates, including their names, will not appear in 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 daily and can be accessed online at smcvote.gov. Additionally, a list of qualified write-in candidates will be available at Vote Centers beginning October 24.

Early Voting Period October 5 to November 2
All registered San Mateo County voters will be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot in October 2026 for the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election. Three vote centers are open for in-person voting, with seven additional Vote Centers opening on October 24.

For more information about the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election, call or text (650) 312-5222, visit www.smcacre.gov, or follow us on X @smcvote and Instagram @sanmateocountyvote