The Mechanics of Running for Public Office
Getting a Head Start on November 7, 2006

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I.	Welcome / Introduction (8:19)
II.	Becoming A Candidate (6:09)
III.	Sample / Official Ballot (16:15)
IV.	Decisions to make regarding your campaign (6:04)
V.	Voter Registration (2:08)
VI.	Absentee Voting (4:28)
VII.	Election Day (9:28)
VIII.	After the Election (7:32)
IX.	Q & A's (7:24)

Seminar Agenda

I. Welcome/Introductions

II. Becoming a Candidate

A. Qualifications & Required Forms for Local Offices – Declaration of Candidacy

1. Municipal (Candidates for City offices will file with their City Clerk)
2. Local School District
3. Local Special District (MROSD Candidates file with the District Clerk)
4. Write-in Candidate – Filing Requirements Differ

B. Established Filing Periods for All Offices

1. Candidacy/Nominations E-113 to E-88 (E-113 = 113 days before     Election Day)
   a. Required signatures: City, Harbor, MROSD candidates
   b. Ballot designation options for all offices – EC §13107
   c. Extension if eligible incumbent does not file E-87 to E-83
2. Write–in Candidacy E-54 to E-14
3. Appointments to file for candidacy are encouraged and available     upon request.

III. Sample and Official Ballots

A. Sample Ballot Pamphlet

1. Candidate’s Statement format/word count
   a. Simple Paragraph format, plain text
   b. Measure Arguments and Rebuttals look different than Candidate        Statements
   c. Page Format (200 word vs. 400 word – decided by city/district)
   d. Occupation in Candidate Statement vs. Ballot Designation
2. Estimated Cost
   a. Based on translation costs, number of statements per page, and        number of registered voters in the district (every registered voter        receives a copy).
   b. Billing practices have been designed to maximize savings to        candidate.
3. Required Translations – Voting Rights Act (Sec. 203, 42 U.S.C.     1973aa – 1a)
4. Confidentiality (EC §13311)
5. Public Review Period (EC §13313)
6. Challenges in Court (EC §§13313, 13314)
7. Indigency Procedures when a Candidate can’t afford (EC §13309)
8. Withdrawal deadline (based upon initial close of candidacy period)
9. Sample Ballot Pamphlet Mailing Period (E-40 to E-21)

B. Official Ballot

1. Order of Names on Ballot
   a. Secretary of State Drawing
   b. Rotation on ballot – applies to County wide offices only

C. League of Women Voters & www.smartvoter.org – Resource for Candidate     Statements & Election Information

D. San Mateo Elections & www.shapethefuture.org – On-line Sample Ballot      Pamphlet

IV. Decisions to make regarding your campaign

A. Financial Decisions & Forming a Campaign Committee

1. Government Code Title 9, Political Reform Act
2. FPPC Intention (form 501) and Committee Organization (Form 410)
3. Re-designation of existing committees
4. Campaign Limits – Local Regulations
5. Prop. 34 & local offices (Independent Expenditures, surplus funds,     etc.)
6. Filing Schedules for pre-election and semi-annual statements (Form     460)
7. FPPC Resources – Information/Manuals/Forms www.fppc.ca.gov

B. Data & Technology – Registered Voter File

1. Formats and Prices
2. Eligibility to obtain data; sample application
3. Transmittal/Pick-Up and Release Schedule

C. State Campaign Laws

1. Elections Code Divisions 18 & 20 both contain many rules regarding     voter registration drives, absentee voting, and campaign materials.
2. Business & Professions Code regarding signage.

V. Voter Registration

A. Deadlines for elections – law and 15-day close
B. Registering People to Vote
C. Where are forms available?

VI. Absentee Voting

A. Who can apply? Any registered voter.
B. Absentee Voting Period (E-29 through Election Day)
C. Absentee Ballot Applications by Mail, Fax, or E-mail (E-29 – E-7)
D. Circulating and Collecting Applications

1. Uniform Guidelines from Secretary of State
2. Timeframe for submitting to elections office for approval
3. Processing

E. Permanent Absentee Voters - # of Perms & Processes
F. Phone campaigning on Election Day - Increases Provisional Voting

VII. Election Day

A. Information available at the polls, on the Internet, via Fax and E-mail
B. What to expect from Election Officers / Field Technicians
C. Electioneering and Campaign Activities – EC Div. 18
D. Exit Polling
E. Polling Place Lists & Maps

VIII. After the Election

A. Certification – EC Div. 15, Chapter 4

1. Twenty-eight days after Election Day – EC §15372, 10411
2. Semi-official results updated on web site; results are not final until certification
3. Elections Official certifies votes
4. Governing Body declares election

B. Taking Office

1. Consolidation rules – EC §§10411, 10418
2. Cities – EC §10262(b) for consolidated election
3. School Districts – Education Code §5017 (first Friday in December)
4. Special Districts – EC §10554 (first Friday in December)

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