General Election Calendar

SIGNATURES IN LIEU OF FILING FEES — SUPREME AND APPELLATE COURTS

Period in which any justice of the Supreme or Appellate Court who must stand for retention in the general election may obtain his or her forms from the county elections official for circulating petitions and securing signatures in lieu of all or part of the filing fee.

Verification of Independent Expenditures

The Verification of Independent Expenditures (Form 462) is used to identify an individual responsible for ensuring that the campaign committee’s independent expenditures were not coordinated with the listed candidate or the opponent or measure committee and that the committee will report all contributions and reimbursements as required by law. An independent expenditure is not subject to state or local contribution limits. This form must be emailed to the Fair Political Practices Commission within 10 days of an independent expenditure of $1,000 or more.⁵

NOTE: The filing period for this entry begins the day following the primary election; however, for purposes of this calendar the E-date shall begin at E-158.

Governor's Proclamation — Issuance

On or before this date, the Governor shall issue a proclamation calling the general election and shall state the time of the election and the offices to be filled and transmit a copy of the proclamation to the board of supervisors of each county. The Secretary of State will send an informational copy of the proclamation to each county elections official.

Amended Candidate Intention Statement

Last day to file an amended Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501) to accept the voluntary expenditure limits for the general election if the voluntary expenditure limits were rejected in the primary election but not exceeded during that election. The filing of an amended Form 501 allows candidates for statewide constitutional offices, State Senator, and Member of the State Assembly to qualify to purchase space for a 250-word candidate statement in the state Voter Information Guide or county voter information guide of the county or counties in their jurisdiction.

Legislative Measure Qualification Deadline

Last day for the Legislature to adopt a constitutional amendment, bond measure, or other legislative measure in order for the proposed measure to appear on the general election ballot.

Candidate Statements in the State Voter Information Guide — Supreme Court Justice

Period in which a justice of the California Supreme Court, who must stand for retention at the general election, may provide information to be included in the official state Voter Information Guide.

Statewide Ballot Measures — News Release Inviting Arguments

On or before this date, the Secretary of State will issue a general news release requesting voters to submit an argument in each case where either the argument for or against any statewide ballot measure has not been prepared and filed.

Statewide Ballot Measures — Selection and Exchange of Arguments For or Against Measures

On or before this date, the Secretary of State will select arguments for inclusion in the state Voter Information Guide where more than one argument has been submitted in favor of or against the same measure. Following the selection, the Secretary of State will exchange arguments with opposing authors and request rebuttal arguments and summary information be submitted no later than July 19, 2018 (E-110).

Signatures in Lieu of Filing Fees - Supreme and Appellate Courts Deadline

Last day for a justice of the Supreme or Appellate Court to submit petitions to the county elections official of the county in which the petition signers reside and are registered to vote. The county elections official shall notify the candidate of any deficiency within 10 days following receipt of the petitions. The candidate shall then, at the time of obtaining nomination documents, pay a pro rata portion of the filing fee to cover the deficiency.

Declarations of Candidacy - Supreme and Appellate Courts

Period in which a justice of the Supreme or Appellate Court, who must stand for retention at the general election, may file a declaration of candidacy with the Secretary of State. The nonrefundable filing fee must be paid at the time the declaration of candidacy is filed.

Candidate Statements in the State Voter Information Guide Deadline — Statewide Constitutional Office and United States Senator Deadline

Last day statewide constitutional office and United States Senator candidates may purchase space for a 250-word candidate statement in the official state Voter Information Guide. Candidates for statewide constitutional office may purchase space for a statement only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501).

Statewide Ballot Measures — Analysis, "Yes" and "No" Statements, Bond Statement, and Text Deadline

By this date, the Legislative Analyst and Legislative Counsel must provide all official analyses, “Yes” and “No” statements, and texts of the statewide ballot measures that have qualified for the general election ballot, and a statement of bond debt, if necessary, so that the Secretary of State has sufficient time to prepare a copy for public examination and to translate the state Voter Information Guide into all required languages.

Statewide Ballot Measures — Rebuttal Argument and Summary Information Deadline

Last day for selected argument authors to submit rebuttal arguments and summary information for or against ballot measures qualified for the general election ballot. Rebuttal arguments shall not exceed 250 words, and summary information shall not exceed 50 words.

State Voter Information Guide Available for Public Examination

Period in which the state Voter Information Guide for the general election will be available for public examination and in which any elector may seek a writ of mandate to amend or delete any portion thereof prior to its printing.

Signatures in Lieu of Filing Fees - Determine Sufficiency - Supreme and Appellate Courts

Last day for the county elections official to determine the sufficiency of the in-lieu signatures submitted by a justice of the Supreme or Appellate Court. If the county elections official determines that the petition is deficient, the county elections official shall notify the candidate of such deficiency within 10 days of the petition having been left for examination. The candidate shall then, at the time of obtaining nomination documents, pay a pro rata portion of the filing fee to cover the deficiency.

Campaign Statement — Semiannual

Last day to file semiannual campaign statements, if required, by all candidates, organizations, committees, and slate mailers.⁵

$5,000 Report (Electionic Filers Only) - Deadline

Last day for candidates for state office and their controlled committees and committees primarily formed to support or oppose state measures to file a disclosure report within 10 business days if $5,000 or more is received from a single source outside the 90-day election cycle.⁵

Election Cycle Reports — 24-Hour Contribution Report

During the 90 days immediately preceding an election or on the date of the election, the following contributions that total in the aggregate of $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours to the Secretary of State's office by online or electronic transmission only: contributions made to or received by a candidate being voted on the November 6, 2018, ballot; contributions made to or received by a primarily formed candidate or ballot measure committee being voted upon on the November 6, 2018, ballot; or contributions made to or received by a political party committee. For purposes of the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement Board, the date of the election is the deadline to return the ballots. (Deadlines are extended to the next business day when the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or an official state holiday, except for the weekend before the election.) Recipients of non-monetary or in-kind contributions must file within 48 hours of the date the non-monetary or in-kind contribution was received. These contributions are reported on the Contribution Report (Form 497).⁵

Voter's Choice Act Counties: Determination of Number of Registered Voters to Calculate Number of Ballot Dropoff Locations and Vote Centers

On this date, the county elections officials of counties implementing the Voter's Choice Act must calculate the location and number of dropoff locations and vote centers based on specific ratios of the number of voters registered as of this date.

Candidate Statements in the County Voter Information Guide - Deadline

Last day candidates for United States Representative in Congress, State Senator, and Member of the State Assembly may purchase space for a 250-word candidate statement in the county voter information guide(s) of the county or counties in their jurisdiction. Candidates for State Senator and Member of the State Assembly may purchase space only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501).

Last Day State Voter Information Guide Available for Public Examination and Copy Delivered to the State Printer

Last day the state Voter Information Guide for the general election will be available for public examination and for the Secretary of State to deliver copy for preparation of the state Voter Information Guides to the Office of State Publishing.

Randomized Alphabet Drawing

The Secretary of State shall conduct the randomized alphabet drawing at 11:00 a.m. and mail the results immediately to county elections officials so that they may determine the order in which the candidates shall appear on the general election ballot.

Certified List of Candidates and Rotation List

Last day for the Secretary of State to certify and send to each county elections official a list by public office showing the name, party preference (or lack of party preference), and ballot designation of every person who has received the nomination as a candidate for public office and is entitled to receive votes within the county at the general election.

By this day, the Secretary of State shall also provide to county elections officials a list of candidates to be voted on throughout the state for each county arranged according to the randomized alphabet drawn on August 16, 2018 (E-82).

Filling Vacancy on Ballot — Nonpartisan Office

No vacancy on the ballot for the general election shall be filled except by reason of the death of a candidate for nonpartisan office occurring on or before this day.

Military or Overseas Voter Ballot Applications

First day county elections official may process applications for military or overseas voter ballots. Any applications received by the county elections official prior to this day shall be kept and processed on or after this date. If the applicant is not a resident of the county to which he or she has applied, the elections official receiving the application shall forward it immediately to the proper county.

A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a military or overseas voter is deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status.

Statement of Write-In Candidacy and Nomination Papers — Nonpartisan Office

Period in which all write-in candidates must leave their statements of write-in candidacy and nomination papers with the county elections official for filing with the Secretary of State, if no candidate has been elected to a nonpartisan office at the primary election.

Report of Registration — 60-Day County Readiness Deadline

Deadline for county elections officials to indicate Report of Registration readiness in their Election Management System (EMS) of all voters registered as of September 7, 2018 (E-60).

Military or Overseas Voter Ballots

Last day for the county elections official to transmit ballots and balloting materials to absent military or overseas voters who have requested them by this date. If a military or overseas voter ballot application is received after this date, the county elections official shall transmit a ballot and balloting materials as soon as practicable.

First Pre-Election Statement

Last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees for the period ending September 22, 2018 (E-45). Candidate controlled committees and primarily formed candidate and measure committees appearing on the ballot must file this statement. State general purpose committees making contributions or independent expenditures of $500 or more in connection with the election must also file this statement. Political parties must file this statement if they receive contributions totaling $1,000 or more or if contributions or independent expenditures totaling $500 or more were made in connection with the election. State slate mailer organizations must file this statement if payments of $500 or more are received or made to produce a slate mailer in connection with the election.⁵

Notice of Early Tabulation

On or before this date, the county governing body to notify the county elections official that certain offices or measures to be voted on are of more than ordinary public interest and will require an early tabulation and announcement.

Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application

Period in which any registered voter may apply to the county elections official for a vote-by-mail ballot. Applications received before October 8, 2018 (E-29), shall be kept and processed during this application period.

Voter's Choice Act Counties: Dropoff Locations Open

Counties that are implementing the Voter's Choice Act will open ballot dropoff locations. These locations shall be open at least during regular business hours beginning not less than 28 days before the election through election day. At least one ballot dropoff location shall be an accessible, secured, exterior drop box that is available for a minimum of 12 hours per day, including regular business hours.

State Voter Information Guide - Mailing Deadline

On or before this date, the Secretary of State, or the county elections official, if appropriate, to mail state Voter Information Guides to all households in which voters were registered by September 7, 2018 (E-60).

Report of Registration — 60-Day Statewide Report Published

On or before this date, the Secretary of State will release a statewide report showing the number of registered voters, by political party preference, in the state, in each county, and in each political subdivision thereof. This report is based on the number of persons registered as of September 7, 2018 (E-60).

15-Day Close of Registration for the General Election

Last day to register to vote in the general election. The Voter Registration Form shall be mailed (postmarked by this date) or delivered to the county elections official by this date and is effective upon receipt. The Voter Registration Form may also be submitted by this date to the Secretary of State, Department of Motor Vehicles, or any National Voter Registration Act designated agency.

A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a military or overseas voter, if postmarked on or before this date, will be deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status. When a county elections official receives and approves a registration application from a military or overseas voter, the official must provide that voter with a vote-by-mail ballot for each subsequent election for federal office in the state unless the voter fails to vote in four consecutive statewide general elections.

See Item #67 for exception.

Report of Registration — 15-Day County Readiness

Period in which county election officials shall notify the Secretary of State that voter registration information is available in the California Statewide Voter Registration System (VoteCal) by indicating readiness in their Election Management System (EMS) with respect to voters registered as of October 22, 2018 (E-15).

Computer Processing of Vote-By-Mail Ballots

Counties having the necessary computer capability may begin to process their vote-by-mail ballots on this date. This process may be completed to the point of placing the ballot information on a computer medium, but under NO circumstance may a vote count be accessed or released until 8:00 p.m. on November 6, 2018 (E).

All other counties shall start to process vote-by-mail ballots at 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election, the results of which shall not be released before 8:00 p.m. on November 6, 2018 (E).

Bilingual Precinct Board Members

Last day for county elections officials to prepare a list of precincts to which bilingual officers were appointed. A copy of this list shall be made available to the public.

Second Pre-Elections Statement

Last day to file campaign statements for candidates and committees for the period ending October 20, 2018 (E-17). Candidate controlled committees and primarily formed candidate and measure committees appearing on the ballot must file this statement by guaranteed overnight mail or personal delivery. State general purpose committees making contributions or independent expenditures of $500 or more in connection with the election must also file this statement. Political parties must file this statement if they receive contributions totaling $1,000 or more or if contributions or independent expenditures totaling $500 or more were made in connection with the election. State slate mailer organizations must file this statement if payments of $500 or more are received or made to produce a slate mailer in connection with the election.⁵

Certified List of Write-In Candidates for Nonpartisan Office

If no candidate has been elected to a nonpartisan statewide office at the primary election, the Secretary of State will prepare and send to affected county elections officials a certified list of write-in candidates showing the name of every write-in candidate eligible to receive votes within the county at the general election, their addresses, and the offices to which they seek election. This list will also be mailed to each candidate running for the affected offices.

Publication of Central Tally Center Location

Last day that a notice shall be published by the county elections official, at least once, in a newspaper of general circulation within the district, specifying the public place to be used as the central tally center for counting the ballots, if ballots not tallied at precincts.

Report of Registration — 15-Day County Readiness Deadline

Deadline for county of elections officials to indicate Report of Registration readiness in their Election Management System (EMS) of all voters registered as of October 22, 2018 (E-15).

Computer Program to Secretary of State

Last day for counties to verify their election night vote count computer programs and deposit copies thereof with the Secretary of State.

Request for Vote-By-Mail Ballots — Late Conditions

Period in which any voter may apply in writing for a vote-by-mail ballot if, because of specific conditions, he or she will be unable to go to the polls for an election. A written statement is not necessary if the vote-by-mail ballot is voted in the office of the elections official at the time of the request. The voter may designate any authorized representative to receive the ballot and return the voted vote-by-mail ballot.

Voter's Choice Act Counties: Open One Vote Center For Every 10,000 Registered Voters

Counties that are implementing the Voter's Choice Act will open one vote center for every 10,000 registered voters. The locations and hours of operation of these vote centers will be available in vote-by-mail materials and on the county website. Any voter registered in the county may visit any vote center in order to receive voter services or vote.

Early Ballot Pickup Notification Deadline

If a county elections official will pick up ballots prior to the closing of the polls, at least 48 hours in advance of an election, the elections official must notify the public of the dates, times, and places at which ballot containers will be delivered.

Military or Overseas Voter Recalled to Service - Registration Deadline

Last day a registered military or overseas voter recalled to service after October 30, 2018 (E-7), but before 5:00 p.m. on November 5, 2018 (E-1), may obtain from the county elections official where they are registered, or, if within the state, in the county in which they have been recalled to service, and obtain a vote-by-mail ballot which can be voted in, or outside, the county elections official's office on or before the close of the polls and returned as are other voted vote-by-mail ballots.

Issue Advocacy Report (Electronic Filers Only) - Period Ends

A disclosure report must be filed within 48 hours by anyone spending or promising to pay $50,000 or more for a communication disseminated, broadcast or otherwise published within 45 days of an election, if the communication clearly identifies a candidate for state elective office but does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of that candidate.⁵

General Election Day

On this date, the polls shall be open throughout the state from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voters who have moved from one address to another within the same county and have not re-registered may vote a provisional ballot at the polling place for their current (new) address at the office of the county elections official, at a vote center, or at a central location designated by that elections official.

An elector can “conditionally” register and vote provisionally at the county elections office, designated satellite office, or a vote center.

Election Cycle Reports — 24-Hour Contribution Report - Period Ends

During the 90 days immediately preceding an election or on the date of the election, the following contributions that total in the aggregate of $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours to the Secretary of State's office by online or electronic transmission only: contributions made to or received by a candidate being voted on the November 6 ballot, or contributions made to or received by a primarily formed candidate or ballot measure committee being voted upon on the November 6 ballot, or contributions made to or received by a political party committee. For purposes of the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement Board, the date of the election is the deadline to return the ballots. (Deadlines are extended to the next business day when the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or an official state holiday, except for the weekend before the election.) Recipients of non-monetary or in-kind contributions must file within 48 hours of the date the non-monetary or in-kind contribution was received. These contributions are reported on the Contribution Report (Form 497).⁵

Election Cycle Reports — 24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report - Period Ends

During the 90 days immediately preceding the date of the election, an independent expenditure of $1,000 or more made to a specific candidate or measure involved in an election must be reported on the Independent Expenditure Report (Form 496) within 24 hours to the Secretary of State's office by online or electronic transmission only. For purposes of the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement Board, the date of the election is the deadline to return ballots and a copy of the Form 496 must be files with the relevant board office.⁵

Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application for Out-Of-State Emergency Workers

Last day, upon the declaration of an out-of-state emergency by the Governor and the issuance of an executive order authorizing an out-of-state emergency worker to cast a ballot outside of his or her home precinct, that an out-of-state emergency worker may request and vote a vote-by-mail ballot, which must be delivered to the elections official by mail or by hand on or before the close of polls, and returned as are other voted vote-by-mail ballots.

Conditional Voter Registration - Deadline

Last day for an elector to "conditionally" register and vote provisionally at the county elections office, designated satellite office, or a vote center.

SemiFinal Official Canvass

Beginning at 8:00 p.m., and continuously until completed, the county elections official shall conduct the semi-official canvass of votes and report totals to the Secretary of State at least every two hours.

Official Canvass — Beginning

Beginning no later than the Thursday following the election, county elections officials must begin the official canvass of the precinct returns. This canvass must be completed no later than December 6, 2018 (E+30).

Statement of Results to Secretary of State

By this date, the county elections official shall send to the Secretary of State, in an electronic format, one complete copy of the general election returns for all candidates for statewide constitutional office, United States Senator, United States Representative in Congress, State Senator, Member of the State Assembly, and justices of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal, and for all statewide ballot measures.

Certificates of Election - All Voter-Nominated Candidates

The Secretary of State shall issue to each elected voter-nominated candidate a certificate of election.

Campaign Statement — Semiannual

Last day to file semiannual campaign statements for candidates, committees, and slate mailer organizations.

Report of Registration — Odd-Numbered Year Report

Period in which county elections officials shall notify the Secretary of State that voter registration information is available in the California Statewide Voter Registration System (VoteCal) by indicating readiness in their Election Management System (EMS) with respect to voters registered as of February 10, 2019 (E+96).

Supplement to the Statement of the Vote

Last day for the Secretary of State to compile a supplement to the statement of the vote showing the number of votes cast in each county, city, state assembly district, state senatorial district, congressional district, and supervisorial district for each candidate for the offices of Governor and United States Senator and on each statewide ballot measure.