by the El Reportero staff
San Mateo County election officials have announced the opening of the write-in candidate filing period for the Nov. 3 Statewide General Election, offering eligible residents another opportunity to seek public office and become directly involved in serving their communities.
The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division announced that the filing period opened Sept. 8 and will continue through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
For residents who may not have entered a race during the regular candidate filing period, the write-in process provides another path to becoming a candidate for an eligible public office. It also gives community members interested in public service an opportunity to participate in the electoral process as candidates rather than only as voters.
Candidates who successfully complete the process can receive write-in votes in the November election even though their names will not appear on the printed ballot.
To qualify, prospective candidates must submit a Statement of Write-In Candidacy along with all other required documentation to the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo.
The statement must include the candidate’s name and residential address, the specific public office being sought and the date of the election. Depending on the office, candidates may also be required to submit a Statement of Economic Interests, known as Form 700. All required documents must be filed at the same time, and there is no filing fee.
Residents interested in running can begin the process by requesting a registration form by email at CandidateServices@smcacre.gov. The completed form can also be returned by email. Elections staff will then contact the prospective candidate to arrange an electronic or in-person appointment to complete the filing process.
Although qualified write-in candidates will not appear on the Official Ballot or in the Sample Ballot and Official Voter Information Pamphlet, voters can find them through the county’s Roster of Candidates, which is updated daily. A list of qualified write-in candidates will also be available at Vote Centers beginning Oct. 23.
Meanwhile, the county is preparing for early voting. Vote-by-mail ballots will begin going to registered San Mateo County voters in October. Three Vote Centers will open Oct. 5, with additional centers opening throughout the early voting period leading up to Election Day on Nov. 3.
For information about the write-in candidate process, residents may contact San Mateo County Elections at (650) 312-5222.
