Ballot access requirements for political candidates in California

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.


In order to get on the ballot in California, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in California. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in California." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

California utilizes a top-two primary system. This system establishes a single primary election for all candidates running for office. The primary is open to all registered voters. The top two vote-getters in this primary election then move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. The system was established with the Top Two Primaries Act, which appeared as Proposition 14 on the June 8, 2010, ballot. It was approved with 53.8 percent of the vote and took effect with a special election on April 19, 2011.[1]

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in California in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
California U.S. Senate All candidates 65-100 $3,480.00[2] 12/8/2023 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in California in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
California U.S. House All candidates 40-60 $1,740.00[3] 12/8/2023 Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2022

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in California in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
California U.S. Senate All candidates 65-100 $3,480.00 3/11/2022 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in California in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
California U.S. House All candidates 40-60 $1,740.00 3/11/2022 Source

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in California in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
California Governor N/A 65-100 $4,371.12 3/11/2022 Source

2020

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in California in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
California 10th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 11th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 12th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 13th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 14th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 15th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 16h Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 17th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 18th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 19th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 1st Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 20th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 21st Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 22nd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 23rd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 24th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 25th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 26th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 27th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 28th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 29th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 2nd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 30th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 31st Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 32nd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 33rd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 34th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 35th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 36th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 37th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 38th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 39th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 3rd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 40th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 41st Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 42nd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 43rd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 44th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 45th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 46th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 47th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 48th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 49th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 4th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 50th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 51st Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 52nd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 53rd Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 5th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 6th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 7th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 8th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California 9th Congressional District All candidates 2,000 Fixed number $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source

State Senate

The table below details filing requirements for California State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
California State Senate All candidates 40 $1,104.59 12/6/2019 Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and California elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

March 9, 2018

2016

See also: California elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important filing deadlines for political candidates in California in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
February 1, 2016 Campaign finance Semi-annual report due
February 25, 2016 Ballot access Close of signature in lieu of filing fee period for voter-nominated offices
March 11, 2016 Ballot access Close of declaration of candidacy and nomination paper period for voter-nominated offices
April 28, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-election report due
May 26, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-election report due
August 1, 2016 Campaign finance Semi-annual report due
June 7, 2016 Election date Primary election
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
Sources: California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016
California Fair Political Practices Commission, "Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees Listed on the June 7, 2016 Ballot," accessed January 11, 2016

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

Seal of California

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Section 8020-8028 and Section 8100-8107 of the California Elections Code

Before accepting or spending money related to campaigning for office, a candidate for state office must file a candidate intention statement with the California Secretary of State. Note that this requirement does not apply to candidates for congressional office; federal campaign finance requirements apply to candidates for federal office. Candidates may qualify to run for office either by paying a filing fee or by submitting a petition in lieu of the filing fee.[8][9][8]

In addition to the candidate intention statement, a candidate is required to file nomination forms with his or her home county. These forms become available as early as the 113th day prior to the primary election and must be filed no later than the 88th day prior to the primary election.[10][11]

Nomination forms include a statement of economic interests, a declaration of candidacy, and nomination papers. Nomination papers require a certain number of signatures from registered voters. If a candidate qualifies by submitting an in-lieu-of-filing-fee petition, the signatures on that petition will be counted towards the requirement for the nomination paper. Registered voters may sign both the in-lieu-of-filing-fee petition and the nomination paper, unless the candidate is using the signatures on the in-lieu-of-filing-fee petition to count toward the nomination paper requirement. If that is the case, a registered voter can sign only one of the documents.[11]

The number of signatures required for nomination papers are as follows:[11]

  • 65-100 for candidates seeking the office of United States Senator or a state executive office
  • 40-60 for candidates seeking the office of United States Representative, state senator, or state assembly member

If an individual is running as a write-in candidate, the only nomination forms required are the nomination papers and a statement of write-in candidacy. These forms should be filed in the candidate's home county.[8]

Qualifying by payment of fee

The filing fee for a candidate seeking a seat in the United States Senate or a state executive office (e.g., governor or treasurer) is 2 percent of the first year's salary for that office. The filing fee for a candidate seeking the office of United States Representative, state senator, or state assembly member is 1 percent of the first year's salary for that office. The fee is paid to the California Secretary of State through the candidate's home county election office.[11]

Qualifying by petition in lieu of filing fee

Instead of paying a filing fee, a candidate may submit a petition. Signatures may be collected to cover all or any prorated portion of the filing fee.[8]

A candidate seeking the office of state assembly member must file signatures from 1,000 registered voters. Those seeking the office of state senator or United States Representative must file 2,000 signatures, and those seeking statewide office must file 7,000 signatures.[11][12][13]

If the number of registered voters in the district in which the candidate seeks nomination is less than 2,000, a candidate may submit a petition containing four signatures for each dollar of the filing fee, or 20 percent of the total number of registered voters in the district in which he or she seeks nomination, whichever is less.[11]

Completed petitions must be submitted 15 days before the end of the qualifying period to the counties in which the signers reside.[11]

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

In some cases, political parties and/or candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain ballot access. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in California.

To collect signatures for these petitions, candidates may utilize circulators, individuals aged 18 years or older who physically go out among voters on the candidate's behalf to witness the signing of the petition. Circulator rules are established by Sections 100-106 of the California Elections Code. When a petition is filed with an election official, each section of it must be accompanied by a signed statement from the circulator declaring the name and address of the circulator and the dates during which all signatures were collected. The circulator must also declare that he or she circulated the petition, witnessed each signature, believes each signature to be valid, and that both the petition and accompanying declaration are true and correct. Both the candidate and the circulator are permitted to sign the petition, as long as they are registered voters in the district corresponding to the office the candidate seeks.[14]

Noteworthy events

2021

On September 27, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 594 into law, lowering the number of petition signatures required of candidates filing for ballot placement via petition in lieu of paying filing fees. The reductions, which applied only to the 2022 election cycle, were as follows:[15]

  • State senate and U.S. House candidates: 1,358 signatures (as opposed to the 2,000 normally required).
  • State assembly candidates: 679 signatures (as opposed to the 1,000 normally required).

2017

On October 15, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed into law AB 469, lowering the number of signatures required for candidates filing for ballot placement via petition in lieu of paying filing fees. The bill was approved by the California State Assembly on May 22, 2017, by a vote of 62-8. The California State Senate approved an amended version of the bill on September 7, 2017, by a vote of 30-10. The Assembly approved the amended bill on September 11, 2017, by a vote of 60-11. Upon being signed into law by Brown, the bill took immediate effect.[12][13]

The bill altered signature requirements as follows:[12][13]

  1. Statewide candidates (e.g., governor, United States Senator, etc.): 7,000 (down from 10,000 prior to enactment of AB 469)
  2. United States Representatives and state senators: 2,000 (down from 3,000 prior to enactment of AB 469)
  3. State representatives: 1,000 (down from 1,500 prior to enactment of AB 469)

Election-related agencies

See also: State election agencies

California Secretary of State

1500 11th St., Fifth Floor
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: 916-657-2166
Fax: 916-653-3214
Website: http://www.sos.ca.gov/

California Fair Political Practices Commission:

428 J St., Room 450
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: 916-322-5660
Fax: 916-322-3711
Website: http://www.fppc.ca.gov/
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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Term limits

California state executives and legislators are subject term limits. These limits were established by Proposition 140, Proposition 28 and Article V of the California Constitution.

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

The state executive term limits in California are as follows:[16]

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits and California Proposition 28, Change in State Legislative Term Limits Initiative (June 2012)

An individual can serve in the California State Legislature for a cumulative total of 12 years. These years can be served in either or both the California State Senate or the California State Assembly.[17]

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from California and List of United States Senators from California

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from California.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from California
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 40 42
Republican 0 11 11
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 1 1
Total 2 52 54

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of California.

California State Senate

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 32
     Republican Party 8
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 40

California State Assembly

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 62
     Republican Party 18
     Independent 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 80

Related legislation

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The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in California. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ California Secretary of State, "June 8, 2010 Results Page," accessed June 20, 2022
  2. ↑ 7,000 signatures can be provided in lieu of the filing fee
  3. ↑ 2,000 signatures can be provided in lieu of the filing fee
  4. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed June 21, 2022
  5. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Political Party Qualification," accessed October 21, 2013
  6. ↑ Fair Political Practices Commission, "Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees June 3, 2014 Ballot," accessed December 27, 2013
  7. ↑ Fair Political Practices Commission, " Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees November 4, 2014 Ballot," accessed January 22, 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of State Senator, Member of the Assembly, "June 3, 2014, Primary Election," accessed June 21, 2022
  9. ↑ California Government Code, "Section 85100-85802," accessed June 21, 2022
  10. ↑ Ballotpedia, "Phone call with Office of the California Secretary of State," October 9, 2013
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 California Elections Code, "Section 8000-8899," accessed June 21, 2022
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 California Legislative Information, "AB 469," accessed October 17, 2017
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Ballot Access News, "California Reduces Number of Signatures Needed on Petitions in Lieu of Filing Fee," October 16, 2017
  14. ↑ California Elections Code, "Title 1: General," accessed June 21, 2022
  15. ↑ Ballot Access News, "California Reduces Petitions in Lieu of Filing Fee for District Office, for 2022 Only, Due to Late Redistricting," January 1, 2022
  16. ↑ California Constitution, "Article V, Section 2 and Section 11" accessed June 20, 2022
  17. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "State Legislative Branch," accessed October 28, 2013
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