Statewide General Election
Every aspect of running for office or running a campaign has code-defined time frames. The Election Calendar is a guide that is created especially for every election. It includes all the deadlines that candidates, campaigns, reporters and the voting public need to know.
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 takes precedence 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, 2026 | Proclamation of the Governor 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 |
| 132 | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | First Candidate Seminar First Candidate Seminar will be held at 10 a.m. on this day. |
| 131 | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | Statewide Measure Deadline Last day for a statewide initiative measure, constitutional amendment, bond measure or other legislative measure to qualify for election. EC §9040; Cal. Const. Art. II §8(c) |
| 130 | Friday, June 26, 2026 | School or Special District Vacancy Last day for the governing body of a school or special district to call an election to fill a vacancy to be on the ballot. GC §1780(e)(2); ED §5091(b) |
|
127 to 113 |
Monday, June 29, 2026 |
City Notice of Election Between these dates, a city shall publish its Notice of Election, stating the offices to be filled and the time of the election. The City Elections Official shall consolidate the Notice of Election and the Notice of Measure into one notice if any city measure was placed on the ballot prior to the Notice of Election’s publication. EC §§12101, 12111; GC §6061 |
| 125 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Special District Offices 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 to deliver 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, 2026 | School District Offices 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, July 6, 2026 | School District Notice of Election Last day for the County Superintendent of Schools to deliver a copy of the formal Notice of Election of governing board members to the County Elections Official. ED §5325(b) |
|
120 to 90 |
Monday, July 6, 2026 |
County Notice of Election and Notice of Measure Arguments 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 and the hours of opening and closing the polls). The notice of central counting place may be combined with this notice. The County Elections Official will publish a notice regarding County, School District and Special District measures indicating the dates for submitting Primary Arguments and Rebuttals and the 10-calendar-day public examination period. The Elections Official shall also issue a press release indicating offices to be filled and a telephone contact number for related information. EC §§9163, 9502, 10242, 12109, 12112; GC §6061; ED §5363 |
| 114 | Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 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 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). EC §12101(b); GC §36512 |
|
113 to 88 |
Monday, July 13, 2026 |
Candidate Filing Period Between these dates is the Candidate Filing Period. Nomination Documents (Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Papers) are available during this time. Paperwork must be filed by the close of business on the 88th day before the election. 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 the 88th day before the election. City, school and special district candidates are permitted to withdraw their candidacy by filing a statement of withdrawal no later than 5 p.m. on the 88th day before the election. EC §§10220, 10224, 10407(a), 10510, 10603, 13107 |
|
113 to 88 |
Monday, July 13, 2026 |
Candidate Statement Filing Period (Optional) Between these dates, county, city, school and special districts, Superior Court, United States House of Representatives, State Senate and Assembly candidates may publish a candidate statement in the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet (SBVIP). 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). A candidate statement shall be filed when the candidate’s Nomination Papers are returned for filing no later than the 88th day before the election. If it is for an election for which Nomination Papers are not required to be filed, a statement shall be filed no later than the 88th day before the election. City candidates shall file their candidate statements 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 the 88th day before the election. The candidate statement may be withdrawn, but not changed during this period and until 5 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the Candidate Filing Period. EC §§13307, 13307.5; GC §85601(c) |
| 104 | Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | Second Candidate Seminar Second Candidate Seminar will be held at 10 a.m. on this day. |
| 98 | Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | Change of Ballot Designation for Runoff Candidates 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, 2026 | FPPC Semiannual Filings Except as provided in GC §84200 paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), elected officials, candidates, committees, and slate mailer organizations shall file semiannual statements no later than this date. GC §§82013, 84200, 84218 |
|
90 to 0 |
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 |
Contribution 24-Hour Reporting Period 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, 2026 | School District Measures 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, 2026 | Election Consolidation Deadline Last day for a local entity to deliver a resolution requesting election services and consolidation from the County Board of Supervisors for the 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, 2026 | Candidate Filing Period Closes 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, 13107, 13307, 13307.5; GC §85601(c) |
|
88 to 78 |
Friday, August 7, 2026 |
Candidate/Measure Document Public Examination Period The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins 88 days before the election at 5 p.m. and ends 78 days before the election at 5 p.m. for all documents filed as of the filing deadline on the 88th day before the election. 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, by clear and convincing evidence, to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code, where issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of election materials as provided by law. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
|
87 to 83 |
Saturday, August 8, 2026 |
Extended Candidate Filing Period Between these dates is the Extended Candidate Filing Period. If an eligible incumbent does not file Nomination Documents (Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Papers) or if nomination papers are filed but then withdrawn by the 88th day before the election, the filing period is extended for that office for five calendar days until the 83rd day before the election, 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 the 83rd day before the election. This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected. EC §§10225, 10407(b), 10516, 10604 |
| 85 | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Candidate Statement Withdrawal Deadline 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) |
| 84 | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Primary Arguments Due 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. When submitting primary arguments supporting/opposing a local measure, proponents/opponents shall provide to the Elections Official a list of supporters/opponents for printing on the official ballot. The list of supporters/opponents must be taken from the signers or the text of the argument in favor of or in opposition to the measure. Arguments in favor of and/or against city measures must be filed with the City Clerk’s office. Contact the City Clerk’s office for deadlines as cities may set different filing due dates for Primary Arguments. EC §§9162-63, 9170, 9282-83, 9286, 9315-16, 9501-03 |
|
84 to 74 |
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 |
Primary Arguments Public Examination Period The 10-calendar-day examination review period begins 84 days before the election at 5 p.m. and ends 74 days before the election at 5 p.m. for Primary Arguments filed in favor of or opposition to 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 or opposition to city measures are reviewed at the City Clerk’s office. Contact the City Clerk’s office for deadline. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 83 | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | County Notice of Measures The County Elections Official will publish a notice regarding County, School District and Special District measures. |
| 83 | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Extended Candidate Filing Period Closes Extended Candidate Filing Period closes at 5 p.m. on this date. If an eligible incumbent does not file Nomination Documents, or files and withdraws them by the 88th day before the election, the filing period for that office is extended for five (5) calendar days, through the 83rd day before the election. During this extended period, only candidates other than the incumbent may file. 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 §§10225, 10407(b), 10516, 10604 |
| 83 | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Measure Amendment/Withdrawal Deadline 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 | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Judicial Write-in Candidate Petition Deadline For the office of superior court judge where only the incumbent filed paperwork during the Primary Election, 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 | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Political Party Endorsements Deadline 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 to 73 |
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 |
Candidate Documents Public Examination Period for Extended Offices The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins 83 days before the election at 5 p.m. and ends 73 days before the election at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the extended filing deadline of the 83rd day before the election. 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, by clear and convincing evidence, to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code, where issuance of the writ of injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of election materials as provided by law. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 82 | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | Randomized Alphabet Drawings 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 §§13111-13, 13116 |
| 82 | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | Candidate Statement Withdrawal Deadline for Extended Offices Last day for candidates for offices with extended filing deadline of the 83rd day before the election to withdraw their candidate statement. The statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, until 5 p.m. EC §13307(a)(3) |
| 81 | Friday, August 14, 2026 | Consolidated Election Candidate Names 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 Elections Official by this date. EC §10403(c) |
| 78 | Monday, August 17, 2026 | Candidate/Measure Documents Public Examination Period Closes The 10-calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the 88th day before the election. 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 88 days before the election. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 77 | Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | Rebuttal Arguments Due Rebuttal Arguments for measures where a Primary Argument was filed both in favor and against are due on this date by 5 p.m. Such Rebuttal Arguments may be changed until and including this date. Rebuttal Arguments for city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. Contact the City Clerk’s office for deadline as cities may set different filing due date for Rebuttal Arguments. EC §§9163, 9167, 9285-86, 9316-17, 9502, 9504 |
| 77 | Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | Impartial Analyses Due Impartial Analyses for measures are due on this date by 5 p.m. Impartial Analyses for city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. Contact the City Clerk’s office for deadline as cities may set different filing due date for Impartial Analyses. EC §§9160, 9280, 9313-14, 9500 |
|
77 to 67 |
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 |
Rebuttal Arguments/Impartial Analyses Public Examination Period The 10-calendar-day public examination period begins 77 days before the election at 5 p.m. and ends 67 days before the election at 5 p.m. for Rebuttal Arguments filed in favor of or against local measures and for 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 |
| 74 | Friday, August 21, 2026 | Primary Arguments Public Examination Period Closes The 10-calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. on this day 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 84 days before the election. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 73 | Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Candidate Documents Public Examination Period for Extended Offices Closes The 10-calendar-day public examination period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by 83rd day before the election. 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 83 days before the election. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 67 | Friday, August 28, 2026 | Rebuttal Arguments/Impartial Analyses Public Examination Period Closes The 10-calendar-day public examination 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 the 77th day before the election. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 61 | Thursday, September 3, 2026 | City Election Materials Any city that requests the County 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 to 45 |
Friday, September 4, 2026 |
Sending Vote by Mail Ballots to Millitary and Overseas Voters Between these dates, the County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting materials to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications by the 45th day before the election. EC §§300(b), 3102, 3105, 3114 |
|
57 to 14 |
Monday, September 7, 2026 |
Write-in Candidate Filing Period Between these dates is the Candidate Filing Period for write-in candidates. 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 §§8600-06 |
| 45 | Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Deadline for Sending Vote by Mail Ballots to Millitary and Overseas Voters 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), 3102, 3105, 3114 |
|
40 to 10 |
Thursday, September 24, 2026 |
Mailing of State Voter Information Guides Between these dates, the Secretary of State shall begin mailing State Voter Information Guides to voters who are registered at least 29 days prior to the election. The County Elections Official will mail a State Voter Information Guide to any person upon request. EC §9094 |
| 40 | Thursday, September 24, 2026 |
First Pre-election Statement Due Reporting Period: July 1, 2026 - September 19, 2026 |
| 29 | Monday, October 5, 2026 | Mailing of Vote by Mail Ballots No later than this date, the County Elections Official shall begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots to all registered voters in the county. EC §4005(a)(8)(A) |
| 29 | Monday, October 5, 2026 | Processing of Vote by Mail Ballots Processing of Vote by Mail ballots may begin on the date ballot are mailed which shall be no later than this date. 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 |
| 29 | Monday, October 5, 2026 | Early Vote Centers Early voting period starts on this day, with three Vote Centers opening in San Mateo, Redwood City and South San Francisco. |
|
28 to 0 |
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 |
Ballot Dropoff Locations Between these dates, at least one ballot dropoff location shall be provided for every 15,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before Election Day. All ballot dropoff locations shall be open at least during regular business hours. At least one ballot dropoff 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) |
| 21 | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | Mailing of County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlets By this date, the County Elections Official shall mail the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet to each voter who is registered at least 29 days prior to the election. EC §§13303 |
| 15 | Monday, October 19, 2026 | Voter Registration Deadline Voter registration closes on this date for the 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, 2026 | Write-in Candidate Filing Period Closes The Candidate Filing Period for write-in candidates ends on this date at 5 p.m. All 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. EC §§8600-06 |
|
14 to 0 |
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
Conditional Voter Registration Between these dates, the Elections Official shall provide Conditional Voter Registration and provisional voting for voters who missed the registration deadline at any Vote Center. EC §§2170-71 |
| 12 | Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
Second Pre-election Statement Due Reporting Period: September 20, 2026 - October 17, 2026 |
|
10 to 4 |
Saturday, October 24, 2026 |
11-Day Vote Centers 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 the 88th day 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, October 27, 2026 | List of Vote Centers By this date (one week before Election Day), the County Elections Official shall publish a list of the polling places (Vote Centers) designated for each election precinct for the election. EC §12105 |
| 7 | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Deadline to Request Mailing of Replacement Vote by Mail Ballots Voters interested in having replacement Vote by Mail ballots be mailed to them should make the request by this date to ensure the ballots arrive on or before Election Day. |
| 7 | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Deadline to Request Language Ballots or Fascimile Copies of Language Ballots Last day for voters to request the County Elections Official to send a Vote by Mail ballot in Spanish, Chinese or Filipino, or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in Korean, Burmese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian or Hindi. EC §4005(a)(8)(B)(i)(III) |
| 7 | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Deadline to Request Ballots for Voters with Disabilities 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 to 0 |
Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
4-Day Vote Centers 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 the 88th day 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)(3)(A) |
| 0 | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 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, 14212, 15150-51 |
| Days Following Election |
Date | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | Ballot Return Deadline 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(b) |
| 30 | Thursday, December 3, 2026 | County Election Certification Last day for County Elections Official to certify election results to the jurisdictions participating in the election. EC §15372 |
| 38 | Friday, December 11, 2026 | State Election Certification Last day for Secretary of State to prepare, certify, and file a statement of the vote from the compiled elections returns for statewide offices, Assembly, State Senate, Congress, State Board of Equalization, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and statewide measures. EC §15501 |
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