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Candidate Guide

Lynda Roberts, Registrar of Voters, Elections

Candidate Guide

General Election - November 8, 2022

This guide gives you information about candidate forms, fees, requirements, and deadlines for the November 8, 2022 General Election.

The nomination process can be complicated, and the filing deadlines are rigid. It is a good idea to file your candidate paperwork early. Otherwise, you may not have enough time to correct any mistakes before the deadline.

If you have questions about your candidacy or any information presented in this guide, please call Dan Miller at (415) 473-6437 or send him an email.

Important! The Candidate Guide provides general information about the nomination and election of candidates. It does not have the force and effect of law, regulation, or rule.

The Registrar of Voters does not provide legal advice and this guide is not intended to provide legal advice. Any person, organization or candidate using this guide may not rely on it as a substitute to seeking legal counsel. Statutes and regulations change and are updated on a frequent basis; therefore, the guidelines provided in this booklet may not reflect the most current state of the law

Index

Common Questions

Important Dates

November 8, 2022 General Election
Date Description # of days before election
July 18, 2022 thru
August 12, 2022
Nomination period for all candidates		 Period for all candidates and incumbents to file with the Elections Department all required and optional documents, or withdraw as a candidate.
Candidates for municipal offices must pick up and file nomination documents at their City/Town Clerk’s office.
(Some cities charge a filing fee)		 113 - 88
August 2, 2022
Run-off candidates		 Deadline for run-off candidates from the Primary election to request a different ballot designation for the upcoming November election. 98
August 13, 2022 thru
August 22, 2022
Public review of candidate statements and ballot designations		 During this period a candidate or voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, may file legal action to challenge a candidate’s statement or ballot designation filed during the nomination period. Elections Code 13313 & 13314 87-78
August 13, 2022 thru
August 17, 2022
Extended nomination period begins		 The nomination period will remain open if an incumbent does not file by the August 12th deadline
Incumbents may not file during this period.		 87-83
August 18, 2022 thru
August 27, 2022
Public review of candidate statements and ballot designations		 During this period a candidate or voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, may file legal action to challenge a candidate’s statement or ballot designation filed in this extension period. Elections Code 13313 & 13314 82-73
August 18, 2022
Random alphabet drawing		 The Secretary of State conducts a random drawing to decide the order of candidate names on the ballot. The Registrar of Voters draws the random alphabet for State Assembly and State Senate candidates for the Marin County ballot. Elections Code 13113 82
September 9, 2022 thru
September 24, 2022
Overseas & Military Ballots		 Marin County Elections Department starts mailing ballots to overseas and military voters. 60-45
September 12, 2022 thru
October 25, 2022
Write-in candidacy		 Write-In Candidates pick up and file your papers at the Marin County Elections Department.
Write-in candidates for municipal offices must pick up and file papers with their respective City/Town Clerk’s office. Elections Code 8601		 57-14
September 29, 2022
Voter Information Guide mailing		 Marin County Elections Department will begin mailing Voter Information Guides to all registered voters in the county. 40
September 29, 2022
Campaign finance		 Candidates must file at least 1 campaign finance report by this date regardless of their level of activity. Active committees will also file a 2nd report by Oct. 27th. 40
October 10, 2022
Vote-by-Mail ballots		 Marin County Elections Department begins mailing vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters in the county. Marin County voters may pick-up a vote-by-mail ballot at the Elections Department starting this date. 29
October 24, 2022
Voter registration deadline
Exception as noted		 This is the last day to register to vote for this election. If voters miss the registration deadline for this election, they must register and vote at the Elections Department or at a vote center. 15
November 8, 2022
Election Day		 The polls and the Marin County Elections Department are open 7 am – 8 pm. 0
December 8, 2022
Election certification		 The deadline for the Marin County Elections Department to certify the county’s election results. Elections Code 15372 +30

Offices Open

  • Qualifications to Run for Public Office
    • Generally, for all candidates…
      • A candidate must be 18 years old;
      • must be a citizen of the State;
      • must be a registered voter at the time Nomination Papers are issued, and, unless otherwise specifically provided, qualified to vote for the office; and
      • must be eligible to take the oath of office and if applicable be bonded in amounts provided for by jurisdictional statute;
      • a candidate must not have been convicted of designated crimes specified in the Constitution and laws of the State;
      • additional qualifications are determined by the principal act of each jurisdiction.
    • Specific to School District Candidates…
      • An employee of a school district may not be sworn into office as an elected or appointed member of that school district’s governing board unless and until he or she resigns as an employee. If the employee does not resign, the employment will automatically terminate upon being sworn into office.
      • A candidate for a school district having trustee areas must be a resident of the trustee area for which he or she is a candidate.
      • A Board of Education candidate must be a resident of the trustee area which he or she represents and shall be elected by voters of the trustee area.
      • Any registered voter is eligible to be a member of the County Board of Education except for the county superintendent of schools or any member of his or her staff, or any employee of a school district that is within the BOE jurisdiction.
    • For the following Special District Candidates…
      • Marin Healthcare District – details are provided to candidates when requesting nomination documents. Health and Safety Codes §32100 and §32110
      • Marin Resource Conservation District - details are provided to candidates when requesting nomination documents. Public Resources Code §9352 and §9358
    • For Municipal Candidates…

      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. Government Code §34882

  • Offices Open for Nomination
  • Insufficient number of candidates and/or no contest

    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

      The Board of Supervisors will appoint any qualified person(s) who will then serve exactly as if elected. (Elections Code §10515)

    • School District

      The governing board of the district will appoint any qualified person(s) who will then serve exactly as if elected. (Education Code §§ 5328 and 5328.5)

    • Municipal

      The city’s/town's governing body may adopt 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. (Elections Code §10229)
  • 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 his/her 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 are applying to. It is 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.

    Your candidate documents will be ready to pick up on or shortly after July 18th. If necessary we will email, or send your documents by regular mail, or you may have a person with signed authorization pickup your candidate papers.

Candidate Nomination Papers

  • Declaration of Candidacy

    The Declaration of Candidacy (DOC) 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 are 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 short 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 must separate them with a slash: Professor/Mother/Doctor.

      You are limited to three words. 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).

    • Request for supporting documents

      (Admin. Code §20717)

      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.

    • Rejection of ballot designations

      (Election Code §13107.5)

      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.

      • Some words are generally not acceptable

        The chart below lists designations that are generally not acceptable.

        November 8, 2022 Statewide General Election
        Do not use words that… Examples
        Evaluate Outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, eminent, best, exalted, prominent, activist, reformer, pro, anti
        Suggest status and not your occupation Taxpayer, patriot, citizen, renter, presidential appointee, husband, wife, scholar, veteran, concerned citizen, activist
        Suggest a religious or ethnic group Asian, Christian, Irish
        Suggest a political party or ideology Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Socialism, Absolutist, Anarchist
        Pro Forma positions or vocations Honorary, hostess, goodwill ambassador (see CA Admin. Code 20716)
        Suggest previous occupations Former, ex (You may use retired. See Rules for specific types of ballot designations and candidates below.)
        Name a company, agency, or person Instead of: IBM President, use: Computer Corporation President
        Instead of: Director, DMV, use: State Agency Director
        Mislead 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.
      • Rejection 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.
        • 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.
        • All designations are decided individually and may not be applicable from one candidate to another, depending on each evaluation.
        • Any exception must be approved by the Elections official for that contest, and may refer to the California Administrative Code for additional clarification.
      • Primary candidates

        Your ballot 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 are entitled to use at the time of the request.

    • Rules for specific types of ballot designations and candidates
      • 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 are filing for the same office you hold now.

          Exception: a new law does not allow certain State or Federal officeholders to use the word Incumbent for their ballot designation.

        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.
        • The designations “Attorney” and “Lawyer” may be used in combination with one other designation held currently or within the previous calendar year (Attorney/Website Developer).
      • You may use the words community volunteer if -

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

        • You are 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 have had more recent professions, occupations, or vocations.

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

  • Candidate Statement rules and 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 and State Assembly candidates are allowed 250 words.

      • File your statement no later than 5 p.m., August 12th. If you are filing for office during an extended nomination period, the deadline is 5 p.m., August 17th.
      • 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 are 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 will 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) and §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

      (Election Code §13107.5)

      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
        Items counted as 1 word: Examples
        Symbols and numerals with symbols that form a single word &, #, %, 100s, $1000, 10¢, 12th
        Abbreviations and acronyms Dist., UCLA, U.S.M.C., FYI
        Suggest a religious or ethnic group Asian, Christian, Irish
        All dates in any form 7/21/89, or July 4, 1776
        Numbers and phone numbers 12, 1,000,000, 415-473-6456
        Website and e-mail addresses 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. 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. Attorney-at-law, ex-president, merry-go-round, seventy-two
      • Items not counted as 1 word
        Items not counted as 1 word: Examples
        Numbers written as words &, #, %, 100s, $1000, 10¢, 12th
        Groups of common nouns not definable as proper nouns peck of pickled peppers, political veteran, presiding judge
      • Items NOT counted
        Items NOT counted: Examples
        Punctuation marks ?  “  ”  !
        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-wide Contests
        • State Assembly and Congressional

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 170,688
          English printing only, $1,450
          English and Spanish printing, $3,000

          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.

      • School Districts / Jurisdictions
        • Marin County Board of Education
          • Trustee Area 1

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 24,030
            English printing only, $330
            English and Spanish printing, $760

          • Trustee Area 3

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 24,954
            English printing only, $335
            English and Spanish printing, $770

          • Trustee Area 5

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 27,125
            English printing only, $350
            English and Spanish printing, $800

          • Trustee Area 6

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 28,100
            English printing only, $360
            English and Spanish printing, $820

        • Marin Community College District
          • Trustee Area 1

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 22,703
            English printing only, $320
            English and Spanish printing, $740

          • Trustee Area 3

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 18,349
            English printing only, $290
            English and Spanish printing, $680

          • Trustee Area 6

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 27,602
            English printing only, $355
            English and Spanish printing, $810

        • Sonoma County Board of Education
          • Trustee Area 2

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 288
            English printing only, $150
            English and Spanish printing, $400

        • Sonoma County Junior College District
          • Trustee Area 2

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 288
            English printing only, $150
            English and Spanish printing, $400

        • San Rafael City School District

          (Candidate documents to be issued by San Rafael City Clerk)

          • Trustee Area 2

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 10,399
            English printing only, $225
            English and Spanish printing, $550

          • Trustee Area 4

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 10,177
            English printing only, $225
            English and Spanish printing, $550

        • Novato Unified School District
          • Trustee Area 4

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 6,262
            English printing only, $195
            English and Spanish printing, $490

          • Trustee Area 5

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 6,022
            English printing only, $195
            English and Spanish printing, $490

          • Trustee Area 6

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 5,361
            English printing only, $190
            English and Spanish printing, $480

        • Petaluma Joint Union High School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 288
          English printing only, $150
          English and Spanish printing, $400

        • Shoreline Unified School District
          • Trustee Area 1

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 1,866
            English printing only, $165
            English and Spanish printing, $430

          • Trustee Area 2

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 398
            English printing only, $150
            English and Spanish printing, $400

        • Tamalpais Union High School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 86,317
          English printing only, $795
          English and Spanish printing, $1,690

        • Bolinas Stinson Union School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 1,424
          English printing only, $160
          English and Spanish printing, $420

        • Kentfield School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 8,932
          English printing only, $215
          English and Spanish printing, $530

        • Laguna Joint School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 288
          English printing only, $150
          English and Spanish printing, $400

        • Lagunitas School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 2,839
          English printing only, $170
          English and Spanish printing, $440

        • Larkspur-Corte Madera School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 10,659
          English printing only, $230
          English and Spanish printing, $560

        • Mill Valley School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 23,184
          English printing only, $325
          English and Spanish printing, $750

        • Miller Creek Elementary School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 14,798
          English printing only, $260
          English and Spanish printing, $620

        • Nicasio School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 441
          English printing only, $150
          English and Spanish printing, $400

        • Reed Union School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 10,262
          English printing only, $225
          English and Spanish printing, $550

        • Ross School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 1,967
          English printing only, $165
          English and Spanish printing, $430

        • Ross Valley School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 18,296
          English printing only, $285
          English and Spanish printing, $670

        • Sausalito-Marin City School District

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 8,306
          English printing only, $210
          English and Spanish printing, $520

      • Special Districts
      • City/Town Councils
        • City of Belvedere

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 1,606
          English printing only, $160
          English and Spanish printing, $420

        • City of Larkspur

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 9,154
          English printing only, $220
          English and Spanish printing, $540

        • City of Novato
          • District 2

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 7,134
            English printing only, $205
            English and Spanish printing, $510

          • District 4

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 6,405
            English printing only, $195
            English and Spanish printing, $490

          • District 5

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 5,565
            English printing only, $190
            English and Spanish printing, $480

        • City of San Rafael
          • District 2

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 9,934
            English printing only, $225
            English and Spanish printing, $550

          • District 3

            Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 9,282
            English printing only, $220
            English and Spanish printing, $540

        • City of Sausalito

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 5,699
          English printing only, $190
          English and Spanish printing, $480

        • Town of Corte Madera

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 7,085
          English printing only, $200
          English and Spanish printing, $500

        • Town of Fairfax

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 5,905
          English printing only, $190
          English and Spanish printing, $480

        • Town of San Anselmo

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 9,516
          English printing only, $220
          English and Spanish printing, $540

        • Town of Tiburon

          Number of Jurisdiction Voters, 6,641
          English printing only, $200
          English and Spanish printing, $500

  • Statement of Economic Interests Form 700

    The Political Reform Act requires candidates and certain 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 and 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 90days 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.
      • All County candidates must adhere to the State campaign contribution limit of $4,900 for each individual, committee, and political party per election.
      • Important! Your campaign finance reporting requirements do not end with the election. Be prepared to continuously file reports until you close your committee.
    • State Offices

      If you are 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.

      Voluntary Expenditure Ceilings for State Candidates.
      Expenditure limits are found on the Secretary of State’s website. You must file the Candidate In¬tention Statement (Form 501) to accept the voluntary expenditure ceiling established for each election.

    • Reporting Deadlines for Local Candidates
      Deadline Use this form Period Reported
      August 1, 2022 460 Semi-Annual Thru – 6/30/22
      September 29, 2022 460 Pre-election (1st) 7/1 thru 9/24
      October 27, 2022 460 Pre-election (2nd) 9/25 thru 10/22
      Within 24 hours Deadline within 24 hours, form 497 Late Contribution Report
      ($1000 or more in aggregate from a single source)      		 8/10 thru 11/8
      January 31, 2022 460 Semi-Annual 10/23 thru 12/31

      E-filing! Local candidate finance reports can be e-filed. It is free, saves time, and you will not 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 is 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 $2000or 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 www.fppc.ca.gov

      • Secretary of State, Political Reform Division

        1500 11TH Street, Room 495, Sacramento, CA 95814
        Tel. 916-653-6224, or www.sos.ca.gov/elections

      Candidates for federal offices must contact:

      • Federal Election Commission:

        1500 11TH Street, Room 495, Sacramento, CA 95814
        Tel. 800-424-9530, or www.fec.gov

What All Campaigns Need to Know

  • 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)
      • 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 regarding signs on private property contact the County Planning Department at 415-473-6269 for information about how to file a complaint.

      To report violations on County unincorporated property 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, 258-4660
      • 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 vote center entrance: (Election Code § 18370)

    • Pass around petitions.
    • •Try to influence a voter’s choice.
    • Put up signs about voter qualifications.
    • Talk to voters about their qualifications to vote.
    • Photograph, film, or record a voter as s/he goes into or leaves a vote center.
  • Registration and Election Data

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

Election At-A-Glance

  • Local offices open for nomination…

    Non-partisan offices:
    Party affiliation is not a consideration.

    • School Districts
    • Special Districts
    • Municipal Offices
  • Contests from the Primary Election that will be on the November General Election ballot…

    Voter-nominated offices:

    • U.S. Senator
    • U.S. Representative
    • Statewide Constitutional Offices
    • California State Senator
    • California State Assembly

    Non-partisan offices:

    • State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Additional contests that may or may not be on your ballot…

    Countywide Offices, and Board of Supervisors: the contest will not be on the ballot if in the Primary a candidate received majority (50% + 1) of all votes cast.

    Contests for Justices of the California State Courts will be on the ballot.

  • How November candidates are elected…

    A candidate need only receive more votes than other candidates to win outright. A majority (50% + 1) of all votes cast is not necessary to win in the General election.

  • When elected candidates take office…

    No matter if you are 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 and State Assembly will take office on December 5, 2022. CA Constitution, Article IV, § 2(a)(3)
    • Superior Court Judges will take office on January 2, 2023. CA Constitution, Article VI, §16(c)
    • All County elected officials take office on January 2, 2023. Gov. Code § 24200
    • School District elected officials will take office on December 9, 2022. Education Code § 5017
    • Special District elected officials will take office on December 2, 2022. Election Code § 10554
    • Municipal nominees must contact the city/town clerk for information.