Candidate Guide

• 1) When are candidate nomination papers available?

  Nomination papers are available beginning February 14th thru March 11th, or thru March 16th if an incumbent doesn’t file for a specific contest.

• 2) Do I need to collect signatures or pay a filing fee for my candidacy?

  It depends on the jurisdiction of the office you’re seeking. The Offices Open section of the Candidate’s Guide provides the information for you. The optional Signatures-In-Lieu period begins January 3, 2022 thru February 9, 2022

• 3) Are candidate nomination papers available on-line?

  No, but you can complete and submit the Candidate Application Form. Afterwards we will prepare and email your nomination papers beginning February 14, 2022.

• 4) What is a candidate’s statement?

  It’s an optional way to let the voters in your district know about you. You can write a 200-word statement (or 250 for state candidates) that is published in our voter information guide. The Candidate Statement section of the Candidate’s Guide has information about the cost and format of the candidate statements.

• 5) Can I get documents for a municipal candidate election from the county office?

  No, you must contact the City/Town Clerk for nomination documents, manuals, and filing information. This manual may be used by council candidates as a general reference guide only.

• 6) I want to pass around a small amount of flyers for my candidacy. Are there rules about this?

  Yes! Whether flyers, yard signs, or internet ads, make sure you’re aware of all campaign finance rules. These rules and all other campaign finance information are in the FPPC finance manuals on the FPPC website.

• 7) Can I get voter information for my campaign?

  Candidates and their committees can purchase voter information. Call or go to our Purchasing Voter Registration Information page on our website for details.

• 8) Are there special campaign finance rules for state and judicial candidates?

  Yes! This information can be found in FPPC Manual 2 and is published on the FPPC website.

• 9) How do I know who has filed for office?

  The Elections website homepage will have a Status of Candidates who have Taken Out Papers for Office link that will be updated daily with the names of candidates who have filed for a specific office.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our office has implemented measures and procedures to protect the health and safety of candidates and office staff.

• Appointments are required – If you do not have an appointment when visiting our office you must wait until all other appointments are completed.
• Face masks are required – Anyone visiting our office without a face mask will not be allowed to enter. Masks must be worn at all times while in our office.
• If you are feeling ill please do not come to our office.
• Certain documents must be either notarized or witnessed in person by election staff. If neither is feasible due to illness or shelter-in-place, we will arrange a virtual witnessing of your signature.
• In order to accommodate virtual filing you must first inform our office of your intentions. Afterwards specific original documents must be received in our office by the applicable deadline. Otherwise your candidacy will not be qualified.

• Offices Open for Nomination
  • Federal and State Offices

    Requirements and qualifications for the following positions are provided by the Secretary of State.

    • United States Representative 2nd District: 2-year term
    • United States Senator: 6-year term
    • State Senator 2nd District: 4-year term
    • State Assembly 12th District: 2-year term
    • Governor of California: 4-year term
    • Lieutenant Governor: 4-year term
    • Secretary of State: 4-year term
    • State Controller: 4-year term
    • State Treasurer: 4-year term
    • State Board of Equalization District 2: 4-year term
    • State Attorney General: 4-year term
    • State Insurance Commissioner: 4-year term
    • State Superintendent of Public Instruction: 4-year term
  • Marin County Offices
    • Marin County Board of Supervisors
      • Board of Supervisors 1st District
      • Board of Supervisors 5th District

      4 Year Term
      Filing Fee - $1,350.54
      Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

      Qualifications: candidate must be registered to vote in the district which he/she seeks to represent for at least 30 days preceding the deadline for filing nomination documents for the office, and must reside in the district during his/her incumbency. (Government Code §25041)

    • Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk

      4 Year Term
      Filing Fee - $2,176.93
      Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

      Qualifications: candidate must be a registered voter of the county in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time nomination papers are issued. (Government Code §24001);
      Candidate must hold a valid appraiser’s certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 670) of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, or acquires a temporary appraiser’s certificate from the State Board of Equalization no later than 30 days after taking office. (Government Code §24002.5)

    • District Attorney

      4 Year Term
      Filing Fee - $2,582.74
      Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

      Qualifications: candidate must be a registered voter of the county in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time nomination papers are issued. (Government Code §24001);
      Candidate have been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State. (Government Code §24002)

    • Marin County Superintendent of Schools

      4 Year Term
      Filing Fee - $3,187.74
      Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

      Qualifications: candidate must be a registered voter of the county in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time nomination papers are issued. (Government Code §24001);
      Candidate must possess a valid credential issued by the State Board of Education. Education Code §1206)

    • Sheriff-Coroner

      4 Year Term
      Filing Fee - $2,518.26
      Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

      Qualifications: candidate must be a registered voter of the county in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time nomination papers are issued. (Government Code §24001);
      Candidate must meet specific criteria outlined in Gov’t Code §24004.3. As of this printing legislation SB 271 regarding eligibility requirements may alter or eliminate §24004.3.

  • Superior Court Judicial Offices
    • Office No. 1: Incumbent Judge Roy Chernus
    • Office No. 2: Incumbent Judge Sheila Lichtblau
    • Office No. 3: Incumbent Judge Stephen Freccero
    • Office No. 4: Incumbent Judge Paul Haakenson
    • Office No. 5: Incumbent Judge Geoffrey Howard
    • Office No. 6: Incumbent Judge Andrew Sweet

    6 Year Term
    Filing Fee - $2,238.29
    Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

    Qualifications:candidates must be a member of the State Bar or served as Judge of a court of record in this state for the preceding 10 years. (Cal. Const. art. VI, §15)
    Candidates must provide documentation to the Marin County Elections Dept. to sufficiently establish qualification.

  • Special Districts
    • Almonte Sanitary District: two full term seats
    • Ross Valley Sanitary District: three full term seats

    4 Year Term

    Qualifications: candidate must be a registered voter and qualified to vote for that office at the time nomination papers are issued to the person. (Elections Code §201 & Government Code §34882)

  • Municipal Offices / Council Members

    Nomination papers issued by and filed with the City/Town Clerk.

    • City of Mill Valley: two full term seats
    • Town of Ross: two full term seats

    4 Year Term
    Required minimum number of valid nomination signatures is 20.

    Qualifications: A person is not eligible to hold office as a member of a municipal legislative body unless he or she is otherwise qualified, resides in the district and resided in the district from which he or she is elected and a registered voter of the city at the time nomination papers are issued to the candidate as provided for in Section 10227 of the Elections Code. (Government Code §34882)

• Insufficient Nominees

  If the number of candidates filing papers for a specific contest does not exceed the number of seats to be filled, those candidates will be appointed in lieu of an election.

  If the number of candidates are less than the number of seats to be filled:

  • Special Districts

    If the number of candidates is equal to the number of offices to be filled within a specific district, the Registrar of Voters will request the Board of Supervisors to appoint in lieu of an election the candidates who have filed nomination papers. If the number of candidates is less than the number of offices to be filled, the Board of Supervisors will appoint any qualified person(s) who will then serve exactly as if elected. (Elections Code §10515)

  • Superior Court Judge

    If the incumbent is the only candidate to file nomination papers for that office:

    • his/her name shall not appear on the primary election ballot unless a petition indicating that a write-in campaign will be conducted for the office and signed by at least 0.1 percent of the registered voters eligible to vote for the office, is filed with the Registrar, within 10 days after the close of the nomination period. The petition must contain at least 100 signatures but no more than 600 signatures.
    • his/her name shall not appear on the general election ballot unless a petition indicating that a write-in campaign will be conducted for the office and signed by at least 0.1 percent of the registered voters eligible to vote for the office, is filed with the Registrar not less than 83 days before the general election. The petition must contain at least 100 signatures but no more than 600 signatures. (Elections Code §8203)
  • Municipal elections

    If the number of candidates is less than the number of offices to be filled, the governing body of the city may adopt (Elections Code §10229) one of the following courses of action:

    • Appoint those persons having filed nomination papers before the deadline
    • Appoint an eligible person who had not filed before the deadline
    • Hold the election
• Placement of names on the ballot / Randomized Alphabet Drawing

  The order in which candidates’ names shall be placed on the ballot is specified in Elections Code §13111 and §13112, and Elections Code §13109 specifies the order of offices on the ballot.

  At 11:00 a.m. on the 82nd day before the election, the Secretary of State’s Office and the Marin County Registrar of Voters separately pick each letter of the alphabet at random according to the procedure specified in Elections Code §13112 compiling their own randomized alphabet list.

  Each candidate will be placed on the ballot in the order that each of the letters of their surname was drawn. For example, the placement of candidates with the surnames of Campbell and Carlson will depend on the order in which the letters M and R were drawn.

  The Secretary of State’s Office will determine name placement for all contests except that the Marin County Registrar of Voters draws for State Senator and State Assembly.

• Applying to be a Candidate

  Before receiving nomination documents from the Elections Department you must complete and file a Candidate Application Form online or at our office. If you cannot access or e-file the application please call 415-473-6437 for assistance.

  The application form is used by our office to verify your voter registration status and residence address. The information you provide on the application, including your name, must match our records.

  Please designate the office and term of office for which you’re applying to. It’s required that you provide a contact email address and phone number on the application. We ask that you choose either or both of your contact preferences so the media and public may contact you.

  After we receive your application you’ll be contacted to make an appointment to pick up your documents. Alternatively you may have your candidate documents emailed, or if necessary by regular mail, or you may have a person with signed authorization pickup your candidate papers.

• Signatures-in-Lieu of Filing Fee Petition

  If you are a candidate for an office that requires a salary-based filing fee you may gather signatures of registered voters to help defray the cost of the filing fee. This filing period begins January 3rd through February 9th.

  • Signatures collected by candidates for County offices are valued at 3/dollar, or 7% of the total number of registered voters, whichever is less.
  • Statewide candidates are provided this information by the Secretary of State.
  • All qualified signatures from your Signatures-in-Lieu petition will count toward your nomination signatures, reducing or eliminating the requirement to collect additional signatures.

  • Filing fees
    • Are nonrefundable and must be paid before receiving your nomination documents.
    • Filing fees for Non-Partisan offices may be paid by cash, money order, certified, travelers or personal check made payable to Registrar of Voters.
    • Filing fees for Partisan and Voter Nominated offices must be paid by check made payable to the Secretary of State.
  • Circulating Signature Petitions
    • A candidate may serve as the circulator to collect signatures.
    • Any registered voter who is a resident of the jurisdiction can sign a petition for any candidate for whom he/she is eligible to vote.
    • Signatures gathered from other counties for a multi-county district office must be delivered and processed at the Elections Office in those counties.
    • Anyone 18 years or older, regardless of their state of residence, can circulate nomination or in lieu petitions for signatures.
• Nomination Petition Signatures

  If you are not filing Signatures-in-Lieu petitions, and you are a candidate for county, city, federal, state, or judicial office you must file nomination petitions with the minimum number of sponsor signatures.

  Those signing your nomination papers must be a registered voter regardless of their political party, and eligible to vote for your contest. Each signer will provide his or her printed name, signature, residence address, city, on the petition, and sign in the presence of the candidate or circulator.

  • The petition will not be accepted if any information including the circulator’s affidavit is not completed in full.
  • All nomination petitions must be received by the close of the filing period.
  • A candidate may sign his/her own petition.
  • A registered voter can sign multiple candidate petitions; however, a registered voter cannot sign for more candidates than the number of positions available for nomination.
• Declaration of Intention – Superior Court Candidates only

  To be a candidate for Superior Court Judge you must first file the Declaration of Intention. The filing period for this form is January 31st through February 9th.

  * Nonrefundable filing fees: When you file your Declaration of Intention you must pay the nonrefundable filing fee and/or submit the full or prorated number of signatures in lieu.

  * Office number: You must declare the office number on your Declaration of Intention.

  * If the incumbent fails to file a Declaration of Intention by the February 9th deadline, anyone other than the incumbent may file a Declaration of Intention by February 14th.

  * If an incumbent judge has filed a Declaration of Intention but failed to file nomination papers by the March 11th nomination deadline, this period will extend to March 16. Any qualified person other than the incumbent may file nomination papers for the office during this period even though he or she has not filed a Declaration of Intention. This candidate must pay the filing fee when his or her nomination papers are issued.

• Declaration of Candidacy

  The Declaration of Candidacy must be completed/signed and witnessed by an authorized official, or a registered Notary Public. The DOC must be filed with the designated office with all other required documents by the applicable deadline.

  Candidates may not file a Declaration of Candidacy form for more than one term of office for the same district, or for more than one district or municipal office at a time. (Election Code §8003(b), §10510(b), §10220.5)

  • How do you want your name to appear on the ballot?

    Indicate your name preference on the Declaration of Candidacy form. You can keep your voter registration name, or you may designate your name as follows:

    • You can use your nickname in quotation marks, along with your legal name on your form. You may also use a first name that you’re known by in your community. Either choice must include your registered last name.
    • First, middle, and last name
    • Initials only and last name
    • A familiar or common version of the first name such as Bill for William or Becky for Rebecca, etc.

    The name you choose to write on the Declaration of Candidacy form is the only name that shall be on the ballot and written on other candidate papers. (A.G. Ops 50-87, 5/27/80)

    Please note: you cannot have titles or degrees with your name on the ballot. EC §13106.

  • Ballot Designation

    On the ballot under your name is the Ballot Designation. It is optional, but if you choose a designation then you must indicate this on the Declaration of Candidacy form. If you choose not to have a designation, write “NONE” on your Declaration of Candidacy form where it asks for your designation. Also put your initials after the word “NONE.”

    If you choose to have a designation you must complete a Ballot Designation Worksheet, but if you do not choose a designation then the worksheet is not required.

• Ballot Designation Worksheet
  • General Rules

    The Ballot Designation refers to your current occupation, vocation, profession, or incumbency status. You may list more than one profession, occupation, or vocation, but you are limited to 3 words and you must separate them with a slash: Professor/Mother/Doctor. The exception is that an elected official can use the exact title of the office currently held: Director, ABC Fire Protection District. Note: If you choose words that are very long they may be printed in a smaller font size.

    If you decide to use a ballot designation you must fill out a Ballot Designation Worksheet (Election Code §13107.3; Admin. Code §20710 thru §20719) and file it with your candidate papers by the deadline.

    California state law requires that your designation describes your current occupation, profession, vocation, or what you did for a living during the 12 months before the filing deadline. The words you choose must be generic and neutral, but accurate and not misleading (Election Code § 13107). The Some words are not allowed section below lists designations that are generally not acceptable.

  • Some words are not allowed

    Do not use words that

    • Evaluate:
      • Examples: Outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, eminent, best, exalted, prominent, advocate, activist, reformer, pro, antii.
    • Suggest status and not your occupation:
      • Examples: Taxpayer, patriot, citizen, renter, presidential appointee, husband, wife, scholar, veteran, concerned citizen, activist
    • Suggest a religious or ethnic group:
      • Examples: Asian, Christian, Irish
    • Suggest a political party or ideology:
      • Examples: Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Socialism, Absolutist, Anarchist
    • Pro Forma positions or vocations:
      • Examples: honorary, hostess, goodwill ambassador (see CA Admin. Code 20716)
    • Suggest previous occupations:
      • Examples: Former, ex (You may use retired. See Rules for specific types of ballot designations and candidates below.)
    • Name a company, agency or person:
      • Examples: Instead of: IBM President, use: Computer Corporation President
        Instead of: Director, DMV, use: State Agency Director
    • Mislead:
      • Examples: An occasional activity, hobby, or position that takes up little of your time. You may have to give proof to support the accuracy of your designation.
  • Request for supporting documents

    Candidates are responsible for providing thorough and accurate information. The Elections Department or Secretary of State may request supporting documentation or evidence supporting a candidate’s proposed ballot designation. It is important to accurately complete the worksheet with as much information as you can provide. (Admin. Code §20717)

  • Rejection of ballot designations

    Each designation is evaluated based on guidelines and restrictions stated in the Elections Code. Designations will be determined given a candidate’s individual circumstance.

    The Secretary of State’s office administers rules and procedures for State and Federal candidates. The worksheet must be fully completed, otherwise it will be rejected and returned by the State.

    Candidates are given an opportunity to make a correction. If you do not provide an acceptable alternative designation by the deadline, no ballot designation will be listed after your name.

  • Rules for specific types of ballot designations and candidates

    Please note: your candidate designation will be the same for both primary and general elections (if applicable), unless at least 98 days before the general election, you request in writing a different designation which you’re entitled to use at the time of the request.

    • You may use the words community volunteer if -

      (Election Code §13107.5 & Admin. Code §20714.5)

      • You’re substantially involved as a community volunteer with bona fide organizations,
      • You do not have another principal occupation or vocation, and you do not add any other words to describe another occupation or vocation.
    • You may use the word retired if -

      (Admin. Code §20716(h)(1))

      • You are 55 or older, and worked at your last job or vocation for more than 5 years and left voluntarily;
      • A principal source of your income is from a retirement plan or retirement benefits (or you are eligible to receive retirement benefits).
      • You cannot use retired if you’ve had more recent professions, occupations, or vocations.

      Note: You must not abbreviate retired or place it after the word(s) it modifies.

    • If you are an incumbent, you may use -
      • Your elected title, even if the title has more than 3 words
        Example: Board Member, ABC School District
      • Your elected position and your other occupation or vocation, if you use 3 words or less
        Example: Board Member/Teacher
      • The word Incumbent (no other words allowed) if you’re filing for the same office you hold now.

      Candidates for State Assembly, State Senate, and US Representative may no longer use the word Incumbent as their ballot designation. (Elections Code §8168/SB 594)

      Only local candidates do not have to justify the use of the word incumbent or appointed incumbent. You may simply write “current officeholder” in the justification sections or leave it blank. The election staff will stamp as confirmed.

    • If you are an appointed incumbent, you may use -
      • The words Appointed Incumbent (no other words allowed) if you are running for the same office you hold now. Judicial candidates having been appointed to a judicial seat are not required to use this designation and can use Incumbent instead.
      • The word Appointed along with your current elected position and the jurisdiction (Appointed Board Member, ABC School District), or the word Appointed along with your current elected position and another designation (Appointed Trustee/Mother).
    • If you are a non-incumbent judicial candidate and an active member of the State Bar, you must use either -
      • “Attorney,” “Attorney at Law,” “Lawyer,” or “Counselor at Law”.
      • Words designating the actual job title if employed by the city, county, district, state, or federal office held by the candidate at the time of filing and must contain relevant qualifiers such as “City of...”, “County of...”, or the full name of the governmental agency.
      • If your designation describes your position in performing quasi-judicial functions for a governmental agency, the full name of that agency must be included.
      • Designations “Attorney” and “Lawyer” may be used in combination with one other designation held currently or within the previous calendar year (Attorney/Website Developer).
    • California Administrative Code exceptions
      • There may be exceptions to the rules regarding a designation. A specific occupation, vocation, or profession typically not allowed may be considered if certain conditions apply.
      • All designations are decided individually and may not be applicable from one candidate to another, depending on each evaluation.
      • A designation which does not describe a significant involvement on the part of the candidate, and which is only nominal, pro forma, or titular is generally not accepted. Exceptions can be those which are proven to have certain decision-making abilities such as government planning, or an agency’s financial responsibilities.
• Candidate’s Statement rules & formatting
  • General Information

    You have the option to file a 200-word candidate statement to be printed in the Marin County Voter Information Guide. Congressional, State Senate & Assembly candidates are allowed 250 words.

    • File your statement no later than 5 p.m., March 11th. If you’re filing for office during an extended nomination period, the deadline is 5 p.m., March 16th.
    • Payment for your statement is required when filing your nomination documents.
    • If applicable to your candidacy you have the option to print your statement in multiple counties. Each county must receive payment directly from you.
    • Review your statement carefully and/or proofread with another person because you’re not allowed to correct typos or mistakes after filing.
    • If you want to change your statement after you file, your only option is to withdraw as a candidate, and completely re-file as a candidate.
    • If you choose to withdraw your statement you must do so by the close of business of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. You’ll be refunded the cost of the statement.
    • Candidate statements should be submitted in electronic version, preferably using the provided PDF template, or a Word doc is acceptable. Candidates filing a handwritten statement will be charged an additional $100 typesetting fee.
  • Content requirements

    Your candidate statement can include information about your education, experience and other qualifications, and shall not include information about your party affiliations, memberships or activities in any political party organizations. (Election Code §13307(a); §13308). Listing memberships or affiliations with organizations that are found to have distinct political inclinations may not be accepted.

    You shall not directly or indirectly reference any other candidate, nor suggest or imply the qualification of other candidates by stating “I’m the only candidate…”, or any other similar wording.

    If your statement does not comply, the elections official will require changes.

    Endorsements by individuals and organizations are allowed but must be verified by written authorization (email is acceptable) directly from the endorsers. The endorsement letter must include the candidate’s name, the elective office, the date of the election, and the name of the endorser.

    The use of non-endorsing individual or organization’s name in a statement is only allowed if being used exclusively as biographical information.

  • Formatting requirements

    All candidate statements must be uniform in type and size, and single-spaced lines.

    • No ALL CAPS (use upper and lower case)
    • No italics, no bold, no underlining, no highlighting
    • No clusters of exclamation points!!!!
    • No bullets or numbered lists (we will replace with semicolons and wrap text)
    • Indents are allowed
    • 200 words maximum based on rules specified in Elections Code §9.
    • Word count begins after “Education and Qualifications” on a Candidate Statement
      • Your statement must fit in a quarter page area, and we may need to adjust the format and spacing of your statement. We suggest using the provided PDF template to create your statement for the desired look.
      • Your name must match your name on the ballot. Variations are not allowed.
      • Age and occupation are optional.
      • Occupation must refer to your current employment or vocation, or status as an active licensed professional even if not currently employed as such, for example, physician or attorney.

    SAMPLE FORMAT

    STATEMENT OF CANDIDATE FOR
    MEMBER, CITY COUNCIL
    Greatest City

    JANE CITIZEN                                                                    AGE: 35
    Occupation: Manager
    Education and Qualifications: I can bring to the office a diversity of viewpoints and experience. Born and raised in the San Francisco area, with my family still farming, I can appreciate the concerns of the environmentalists.
    On the other hand, having been in business since my undergraduate days at college, and with my experience in the rental and real estate field, I appreciate the practical housing choices and frustrations with high rental cost.
    I advocate a program to protect our neighborhoods from increasing overcrowding and visual blight. As a Member of the City Council, I would bring balanced points of view.

  • How to Count Words

    Candidate statements are limited to a certain number of words. The rules below explain how we count words. These rules are based on California law. Before you file your statement count the words carefully. If you have too many words we will ask you to revise your text.

    • Items counted as 1 word:
      • Symbols and numerals with symbols that form a single word:
        • Examples: &, #, %, 100s, $1000, 10¢, 12th
      • Abbreviations & acronyms:
        • Examples: Dist., UCLA, U.S.M.C., FYI
      • All dates in any form:
        • Examples: 7/21/89, or July 4, 1776
      • Numbers and phone numbers:
        • Examples: 12, 1,000,000, 415-473-6456
      • Website & e-mail addresses:
        • Examples: www.marinvotes.org; elections@marincounty.org
      • Proper nouns beginning with capital letters including the names of people, places, and certain things; and official names of jurisdictions and districts:
        • Examples: New Jersey, County of Marin, Tamalpais Union High School District, Marin General Hospital, Bob Hope, Internal Revenue Service, Ford F150
      • Hyphenated words listed in a standard U.S. dictionary published within 10 years before the date of the election:
        • Examples: Attorney-at-law, ex-president, merry-go-round, seventy-two
    • Items not counted as 1 word:
      • Numbers written as words:
        • Examples: one hundred
      • Groups of common nouns not definable as proper nouns:
        • Examples: peck of pickled peppers, political veteran, presiding judge
    • Items NOT counted:
      • Punctuation marks:
        • Examples: ? “ ” !

      We do not count any part of the “Occupation” section, or the words “Education and Qualifications” on a Candidate Statement.

  • Candidate Statement Fees

    All candidates must pay a fee to have their statement printed in the Marin County Voter Information Guide. If you want your statement translated into Spanish, the cost is doubled plus a translation fee. The fees are based on expenses such as typesetting, printing, and mailing and to registered voters in specified areas.

    The figures below are early estimates. Actual costs are based on the last report to the Secretary of State prior to the nomination period. Contact our office for any updates to statement fees.

    • County Board of Supervisors
      • District 1
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 34,905
        • Statement printed in English only, $410
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $920
      • District 5
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 33,210
        • Statement printed in English only, $400
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $900
    • County-wide Contests
      • All offices including 250-word count
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 172,147
        • Statement printed in English only, $1,440
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $2,980
    • Special Districts
      • Almonte Sanitary District
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 1,302
        • Statement printed in English only, $160
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $420
      • Ross Valley Sanitary District #1
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 33,996
        • Statement printed in English only, $405
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $910
    • City/Town Councils
      • City of Mill Valley
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 10,745
        • Statement printed in English only, $230
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $560
      • Town of Ross
        • Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 1,692
        • Statement printed in English only, $165
        • Statement printed in English and Spanish, $430
    • State Offices and Voluntary Expenditure Ceilings

      State Assembly candidates who want to purchase space for a 250-word statement in the Marin County Voter Information Guide must accept the State’s voluntary expenditure limits by filing the Form 501 (Candidate Statement of Intention) with the office of the Secretary of State. (Government Code §85601)

• Statement of Economic Interests Form 700

  The Political Reform Act requires candidates and most government officials to publicly disclose their personal assets and income, and also disqualify themselves from participating in decisions that may affect their personal economic interests.

  When filing your candidate papers you must also file the Form 700, disclosing your personal assets and income for the previous calendar year.

  While sometimes popularly called “conflict-of-interest statements,” any conflict of interests under the Political Reform Act can only come about if a public official makes or participates in making a government decision that has a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on the official’s personal financial interests. Also, the law does not require all relevant personal financial interests (such as ownership of a personal residence in most cases) to be disclosed on the statement of economic interests.

  The Form 700 is a public document and is required to be made available by request and/or posted online.

  If you are elected or appointed to office, you must file this form with the appropriate filing officer for your jurisdiction within 30 days of taking office, and then annually until you leave office.

  The Form 700 and instructions will be included with your candidate packet

  For more information go to the Fair Political Practices Commission website.

• Campaign Finance rules & reporting
  • Basic Rules for All Candidate Committees
    • All campaign finance reports are considered public and may be posted online.
    • Deposit all campaign funds in a separate bank account that is only for the campaign. You cannot add contributed funds to personal accounts.
    • Do not use the same bank account, committee, or committee name that you used in a previous election if you are running for a different office.
    • Open a campaign finance committee at any time using a Form 410. You must open a committee once you raise or spend $2000 for your campaign.
    • Record all contributions and expenses of $25 or more. (Your FPPC manual offers guidelines for recordkeeping.)
    • Document any donation worth $100 or more, including cash, loans, and in-kind contributions, including the contributor’s name, address, occupation, and employer.
    • Do not use your campaign funds for non-campaign expenses or to make independent expenditures to support or oppose other candidates.
    • If you receive $1000 or more from a single source in the last 90 days before the election, you must disclose it within 24 hours, even if the contributions are from your personal funds. This includes separate contributions from the same source that add up to $1000 or more.
    • Not all Marin County cities and districts have the same campaign contribution limits. To know the limits for your office, contact the local official.
    • Important! Your campaign finance reporting requirements do not end with the election. Be prepared to continuously file reports until you close your committee.
  • County Offices

    Candidates for County offices are now subject to the state contribution limit of $4,900 for each individual, committee, and political party per election.

    Beginning January 1, 2021, County officials running for re-election must:

    • Open a new committee for the reelection campaign (Form 410).
    • Open a new bank account for the reelection campaign.
    • Any funds in the old bank account must be transferred to the new campaign bank account, and the funds must be in the new bank account before they can be used for the reelection campaign.
    • If candidates running for reelection did not redesignate their existing committee before January 1, 2021, they cannot redesignate that committee and they cannot use the same bank account.
  • State Offices

    If you’re a candidate for a state office you are required to register with the California Secretary of State and file financial activity reports. Candidates and committees who raise or spend more than $25,000 must electronically file their reports; those who spend or raise less than $25,000 may file paper reports.

  • Reporting Deadlines for Local Candidates

    Period reported thru – December 31, 2021:

    • Deadline January 31, 2022, form 460 Semi-Annual

    Period reported January 1, 2022 – April 23, 2022:

    • Deadline April 28, 2022, form 460 Pre-election (1st)

    Period reported April 24, 2022 – May 21, 2022:

    • Deadline May 26, 2022, form 460 Pre-election (2nd)

    Period reported March 9, 2022 – June 7, 2022:

    • Deadline within 24 hours, form 497 Late Contribution Report ($1000 or more in aggregate from a single source)

    Period reported May 22, 2022 – June 30, 2022:

    • Deadline August 1, 2022, form 460 Semi-Annual

    E-filing! Local candidate finance statements can be e-filed. It’s free, saves time, and you won’t have to provide signatures or hard copies. For more information call (415) 473-6437.

  • Fines and Penalties

    Candidates and committees that do not file or who file late deny the public the right to view timely campaign finance reports. State law gives local elections officials and the Fair Political Practices Commission the authority to assess fines due to filing violations. (Government Code §91013).

    The fines levied by the Marin County Elections Department are $10 per day for each day past the deadline until the required report is filed. If the fines are not paid, the Elections Department may file a civil action against the candidate/committee for the amount owed. If the report is never filed the Elections Department will report the candidate/committee to the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

    The filing officer for Marin County Elections Department is allowed to waive a fine if it’s determined the late filing was not intentional and the report was filed before the waiver of liability period ends.

  • Reporting Violations

    If a committee or candidate has violated any campaign disclosure requirement, any person in the affected jurisdiction may file an action or ask for an injunction (Government Code §91003). Marin County Elections Department will not investigate or prosecute violations, except for civil actions to collect fines.

  • Candidate Campaign Finance Forms

    The following is a list of forms used by most local candidates. Other reports may be required depending on the committee’s activity. Please refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 501 – Statement of Intent

      Candidates for state or local office must file this form prior to solicitation or receipt of any contribution, or expenditure of personal funds used for the election. Exception: This form is not required if you will not solicit or receive contributions from other persons, and the only expenditures will be from your personal funds used for the filing fee and statement of qualification in the voter information guide. Candidates who file a Form 501 must establish a separate bank account with a financial institution in California, if they accept contributions. Refer to FPPC Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 470 – Campaign Statement

      All candidates who have filed a Form 501 must file at least one campaign statement before the election. Candidates may file the Form 470 if they do not have a controlled committee, do not anticipate receiving contributions totaling $2000 or more during the calendar year, and do not anticipate spending $2000 or more during the calendar year. The Form 470 is filed once, by the first pre-election due date. If the $2000 threshold is achieved, candidates must file the Form 470 Supplement, and establish a campaign committee. Please refer to Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 410 – Statement of Organization

      Candidates must use Form 410 to establish a campaign committee, no later than within 10 days after the committee has spent or received $2000 or more. Form 410 is also used to amend changes to the committee and terminate the committee. By establishing a committee the candidate is charged a $50 annual fee, and is required to file periodic campaign statements until the committee is closed. All committees must file the Form 410 with the Secretary of State and their local filing agency. Please refer to Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 460 – Recipient Committee Campaign Statement

      Candidate controlled committees are required to use Form 460 to report all campaign activity during scheduled semi-annual and pre-election periods. Statements must be completed fully and accurately and filed on time per the filing schedule. Please refer to Manual 2 for more information.

    • Form 497 – Late Contribution Report

      A Late Contribution Report must be filed if a committee controlled by the candidate receives a contribution (including aggregated amounts) from a single source, or makes contributions, totaling $1,000 or more to a candidate or primarily formed committee during the 90 days prior to the candidate’s election. This form does not have a waiver of liability period if not filed within 24 hours.

    • Form 461 – Major Donor and Independent Expenditure Committee

      An individual or entity that makes monetary or nonmonetary contributions (including loans) to local officeholders, candidates, and committees totaling $10,000 or more in a calendar year; or an individual or entity that makes independent expenditures totaling $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose state or local candidates, or ballot measures.

  • Questions?

    Campaign finance reporting and fund-raising laws change frequently, so make sure you understand your requirements.

    If you are a local candidate, see the FPPC Manual 2 or contact:

    • Email Dan Miller
    • Tel. (415) 473-6437 – Fax: (415) 473-6447

    Candidates for state offices may consult the FPPC Manual 1 or contact:

    • Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
      • 428 J Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, CA 95814
      • Tel. (866) 275-3772, or go to www.fppc.ca.gov
    • Secretary of State, Political Reform Division
      • 1500 11TH Street, Room 495, Sacramento, CA 95814
      • Tel. (916) 653-6224, or go to www.sos.ca.gov/elections

    Candidates for federal offices must contact:

    • Federal Election Commission:
      • Tel. (800) 424-9530, or go to www.fec.gov

• Disclaimers: Advertising & Mailers

  State regulations require candidate committees to add disclaimers to most advertisements and communications including electronic media. “Paid for by committee name" is the basic disclaimer required by law on most campaign communications sent by a committee (Government Code §84305 et seq; §84501 thru §84511). Information about political advertising, communications and mass mailings can be found on the FPPC’s website and manuals.

• Political Signs

  Before placing political signs make sure you know the state, county, and municipal rules.

  • County Rules
    • Signs are not allowed in unincorporated areas of Marin County, except on a residence or place of business with owner’s consent. Signs must not be placed more than 90 days prior to, or more than 10 days after an election. (County Code 22.28.060)
    • To report violations regarding signs on private property contact the County Planning Department at (415) 473-6269 for information about how to file a complaint.
    • Signs are not allowed on County owned and maintained public property, right-of-way, medians, or any location that impairs pedestrian and vehicular safety. (County Code 22.28.030)
    • To report violations please contact the County Department of Public Works at (415) 473-3755.
  • Municipal Rules

    Contact information for municipal rules about posting signs within city limits.

    • Belvedere
      • City Clerk, (415) 435-8913
    • Corte Madera
      • Town Clerk, (415) 927-5085
    • Fairfax
      • Principal Planner, (415) 453-1584
    • Larkspur
      • City Clerk, (415) 927-5002
    • Mill Valley
      • City Clerk, (415) 388-4864
    • Novato
      • City Clerk, (415) 899-8986
    • Ross
      • Town Clerk, (415) 453-1453 x105
    • San Anselmo
      • Town Clerk, ckacmar@townofsananselmo.org
    • San Rafael
      • Public Works, (415) 485-3355
    • Sausalito
      • City Clerk, (415) 289-4134
    • Tiburon
      • Planning Department, (415) 435-7390
  • State Rules

    State rules about posting signs on state owned property, contact the Department of Transportation, Outdoor Advertising Program: (916) 654-5327.

• Political Campaign Videos and Printed Material

  Candidates who wish to film a paid political commercial in or around the Civic Center should contact the Community Development Agency (CDA) by calling (415) 473-6269 or (415) 473-7875 to ask about permit requirements. Still photographs for printed campaign materials may be taken so long as the photographs are not used in a way that would compromise confidentiality or business operations. In order to best assure strict neutrality and uphold the integrity of the elections process, under no circumstances are candidates allowed to film or photograph near the Elections Department to be used for campaign purposes.

• Electioneering

  It is a misdemeanor to do any of these things within 100 feet, of the polling place entrance: (Election Code § 18370)

  • Pass around petitions.
  • Try to influence how a voter votes.
  • Put up signs about voter qualifications.
  • Talk to voters about their qualifications to vote.
  • Photograph, film, or record a voter going into or leaving a polling place.
• Registration and Election Data

  Pursuant to Elections Code Sections 2187(g) and 2188, voter registration information is available to candidates for election & campaign purposes.

  Each request to purchase voter registration information must be submitted with identification on applications provided by the Marin County Elections Department. The application, instructions and pricing can be found on the Purchasing Voter Registration Information page on our website.

  1. Use of this data, including but not limited to using registration information for purposes of communicating with voters, is allowed pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Division 7, Article 1, Section 19003.
  2. Prohibited uses are pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 2194, and include but are not limited to any personal, private, or commercial purpose advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products; or the harassment of any voter or voter’s household.
• Who should you contact about campaign violations?

  The Marin County Elections Department is NOT an enforcement agency regarding possible election violations. We are unable to investigate any of the violations listed below.

  Listed below are resources to contact regarding suspected election violations:

  • Violations to the Political Reform Act — Contact the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC): for example, mailing requirements; campaign finance disclosure; proper use of campaign funds; personal economic interest disclosures.
  • Violations to laws other than the Political Reform Act — Contact the City/Town or District Attorney, or the California State Attorney General’s office at (800) 952-5225.
  • Election fraud — Contact the City/Town or District Attorney, or the California Secretary of State.
  • Federal campaigns — Contact the Federal Election Commission (FEC) at (800) 424-9530.
  • Local ordinance violations — Contact the City/Town or District Attorney.
  • Vandalism to campaign signs — Contact law enforcement and/or City/Town or District Attorney.
  • False or misleading campaign materials — There are no enforcement agencies for these violations. These matters are adjudicated in court.

The offices open for nomination are known as voter nominated and non-partisan.

Voter-nominated offices
U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Senator, State Assembly Member and most state constitutional offices.

Political parties may endorse, support, or oppose candidates for these offices but they can no longer formally nominate candidates. Voters can vote for any candidate regardless of their party preference.

Non-partisan offices
All County offices, special district offices, town council offices, judicial seats, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

• How are candidates elected?

  Voter-nominated offices - Top Two Primary
  Even if one candidate receives the majority of all votes cast (50%+1) the top two candidates who receive the most votes in the June 7th Primary Election, regardless of their political party, will be on the General Election ballot in November. Elections Code §§ 8141.5)

  Non-partisan offices
  The State Superintendent of Public Instruction, county, and judicial candidates must receive the majority of all votes cast (50%+1) to win outright. Otherwise, the top two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be on the General Election ballot in November.

  Special district and town council candidates must only receive more votes than the other candidates in order to win outright. A majority of all votes cast is not necessary.

• When will elected candidates take office?

  No matter if you’re elected in June or November, the ‘swearing in’ dates are as follows:

  • Federal and State Officers will take office on January 3, 2023. US Constitution, Article I, § 3; 20th Amend., §1
  • State Senate & State Assembly will take office on December 5, 2022. CA Constitution, Article IV, § 2(a)(3)
  • Superior Court Judgeswill take office on January 2, 2023. CA Constitution, Article VI, §16(c)
  • All County elected officials will take office on January 2, 2023. Gov. Code § 24200
  • Sanitary District nominees take office at the first meeting of the board following the entry of the statement of the result on the records of the board of supervisors. Health & Safety Code § 6580
  • Municipal nominees must contact the city/town clerk for information.
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic some of our procedures may have changed.

  Our office has implemented measures and procedures to protect the health and safety of candidates and office staff.

  • Appointments are required – If you do not have an appointment when visiting our office you must wait until all other appointments are completed.
  • Face masks are required – Anyone visiting our office without a face mask will not be allowed to enter. Masks must be worn at all times while in our office.
  • If you are feeling ill please do not come to our office.
  • Certain documents must be either notarized or witnessed in person by election staff. If neither is feasible due to illness or shelter-in-place, we will arrange a virtual witnessing of your signature.
  • In order to accommodate virtual filing you must first inform our office of your intentions. Afterwards specific original documents must be received in our office by the applicable deadline. Otherwise your candidacy will not be qualified.