Candidate Filing
This page is used to provide forms and information to candidates for elected offices, including what forms are needed for specific types of offices. The information and forms are provided as a convenience for candidates, and it is up to the individual filing for an elected office to ensure they have the correct forms and file with the correct agency.
Candidate Filing Procedures
Candidates must come to our office in person to pick up documents for filing for office. If applicable, filing fees must be paid prior to receiving nomination documents. Candidates must come to our office in person, during normal business hours, to file their documents with original signatures, and take their oath prior to the filing deadline. Office hours are M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., excluding holidays. Contact us for questions, or more details, during normal business hours at (707) 565-6800.
Where to File
To run for state, county, and most school or special district offices, file at the Registrar of Voters Office. To run for city offices, file with your City/Town Clerk.
| Cloverdale | Cotati | Healdsburg |
| Petaluma | Rohnert Park | Santa Rosa |
| Sebastopol | Sonoma | Windsor |
District Lookup
Click here to check which district you live in (use your residential address). Most offices require you to live in the district.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines are election-specific and can be found on the Timeline Calendar of each election page. In addition, a more detailed Campaign Guide and Calendar of Events is made available approximately three months prior to Election Day for the following three types of elections:
- Odd-year Uniform District Elections
- Even-year Primary Elections
- Even-year General Elections
Candidate Filing Matrix
Required Documents:
| Document Names | US Senate | US Rep (Congress) | State Legislative | Judicial | School Gov Board | County | City / Town | Special District | Central Cmte |
| Campaign Statements (Forms 470, 501, 460 &/or 410)* | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||
| Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Declaration of Candidacy (in office only) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Candidate Information Sheet | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Declaration of Intention (in office only, after payment of fees) | x | ||||||||
| Statement of Qualifications (Optional) (State / Local) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||
| Ballot Designation Worksheet | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Nomination Petition (in office only, after payment of fees) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||
| Code of Fair Campaign Practices (Optional) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Additional Documents Provided:
| Document Names | US Senate | US Rep (Congress) | State Legislative | Judicial | School Gov Board | County | City / Town | Special District | Central Cmte |
| GC §84305 notice | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Campaign Guide (see specific Election page for guide) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Local Campaign Ordinance | x |
Required campaign statements depend on the amount of money a candidate plans to raise or spend (excluding personal funds used for the filing fee and/or fee for the Statement of Qualifications)
- Raising/Spending $0: Form 470 (except central committee candidates)
- Raising/Spending $0.01 - $1,999.99: Form 470 & Form 501
- Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more: Form 410 & Form 501 (as well as Form 460 by reporting deadlines -- see FPPC filing schedule)
- See Campaign Finance page for more information
Candidate Filing Documents
- Campaign Finance Statements
- Required campaign statements depend on the amount of money a candidate plans to raise or spend (excluding personal funds used for the filing fee and/or fee for the Statement of Qualifications)
- Form 470 Officeholder and Candidate Campaign Statement — Short Form and Form 470 Supplement (PDF)
- Raising/Spending $0 (except central committee candidates)
- Raising/Spending $0.01 - $1,999.99
- Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement (PDF)
- Raising/Spending $0.01 - $1,999.99
- Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more
- Form 410 Statement of Organization Recipient Committee (PDF)
- Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more
- Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement (PDF)
- Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more
- On FPPC Filing Schedule
- Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)
- Declaration of Candidacy (in office only)
- Candidate Information Sheet (PDF)
- Declaration of Intention (in office only, after payment of fees)
- Statement of Qualifications Form (Optional)
- Ballot Designation Worksheet (PDF)
- Nomination Petition (in office only, after payment of fees)
- Code of Fair Campaign Practices (Optional) (PDF: 45kB)
- Government Code § 84305 Notice (PDF)
- Campaign Guide
- Specific to each election
- Local Campaign Ordinance – Sonoma County (PDF)
- See City / Town for applicable local campaign ordinance
Office Terms
| Office | Date | Term / Term Limits | Code Section |
| President | January 20th at noon | 4 year / 2 term maximum | U.S. Const. Amendment XX, § 1 |
| Statewide Offices (Governor, Secretary of State, etc) | First Monday after January 1 following election | 4 years / 2 terms | CA. Const. Art. V |
| United States Senator – 2 from each state | January 3rd | 6 years / none | U.S. Const. Amendment XX, §1 |
| United States Representative in Congress | January 3rd | 2 years / none | U.S. Const. Amendment XX, §2 |
| State Senator – 40 members (Legislative Office) | First Monday in December following election | 4 year / Members elected to the legislature or their first time in 2012 or later may serve a total of twelve years in either house, or a combination of the two houses. A person may serve all twelve years in either the Assembly or the Senate, or split between the two houses. |
CA. Const. Art. IV §2 & 3 |
| Member of the State Assembly – 80 members (Legislative Office) | First Monday in December following election | 2 year / Members elected to the legislature or their first time in 2012 or later may serve a total of twelve years in either house, or a combination of the two houses. A person may serve all twelve years in either the Assembly or the Senate, or split between the two houses. |
CA. Const. Art. IV §2 & 3 |
| Superior Court Judges | First Monday after January 1 following election | 6 years / none | CA. Const. Art. VI §16 |
| School Districts | Second Friday in December following election | 4 years / none | Ed. Code §5017 |
| County Offices (County Supervisors, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor, District Attorney, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, Sheriff-Coroner) | First Monday after January 1 following election | 4 years / none | Gov. Code §24200 |
| City / Town Council | First City/Town Council meeting after certification | 4 years / none | Gov. Code §36801 |
| Special Districts | First Friday in December at noon following election | 4 years / none | E.C. §10554 |