“People often ask what we do in the off-year,” said Slocum, “But in reality there is no such thing. We have to plan and prepare for over 360,000 registered voters to participate in the odd-year district elections – same as the presidential and gubernatorial elections.”

Voter turnout is typically lower in odd-year contests, yet Slocum expects that Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to call a special election for November 8th will spark more interest and lead to greater participation. “Due to the controversial nature of the state ballot initiatives planned for November, there will be intense campaign efforts on both sides that will be covered extensively by the media. Voting patterns of a typical odd-year election will not hold true for this election,” and Slocum noted, “we’ll see much higher voter turnout rates.”

For candidates seeking local elected office, the filing period opens on Monday, July 18, 2005 and runs through 5:00 P.M. Friday, August 12, 2005. If an eligible incumbent has not filed by that later date and hour, the period is extended and candidates will have until 5:00 P.M. on August 17, 2005, to complete the nomination requirements for that office.

To make an appointment or obtain information, prospective candidates may call (650) 312-5370 and ask for Mark Numainville, the Candidate Filing Officer.

Candidates for city offices file all candidacy paperwork with the City Clerk.

According to Slocum, the following local school and special district elective offices will be in contention:

School Districts:

San Mateo County Community College District: two 4-year terms    

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District: three 4-year terms    

Burlingame School District: three 4-year terms    

Hillsborough City School District: three 4-year terms    

Jefferson Elementary School District: three 4-year terms    

Millbrae School District: three 4-year terms    

Portola Valley School District: three 4-year terms    

Redwood City School District: two 4-year terms, one 2-year term

San Bruno Park Elementary School District: three 4-year terms    

San Carlos School District: three 4-year terms    

San Mateo Union High School District: three 4-year terms    

San Mateo-Foster City School District: three 4-year terms    

Sequoia Union High School District: two 4-year terms    

Woodside School District: three 4-year terms

Qualifications for the offices as set forth in the Education Code are: Any registered voter who is a resident of the school district, and who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office.

Special Districts:

Bayshore Sanitary District: two 4-year terms    

Broadmoor Police Protection District: two 4-year terms    

Coastside County Water District: two 4-year terms    

Colma Fire Protection District: one 4-year term, one 2-year term    

East Palo Alto Sanitary District: two 4-year terms, one 2-year term

Granada Sanitary District: three 4-year terms   

Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District: two 4-year terms    

Highlands Recreation District: two 4-year terms    

Ladera Recreation District: three 4-year terms    

Los Trancos County Water District: three 4-year terms    

Menlo Park Fire Protection District: three 4-year terms    

Mid-Peninsula Water District: three 4-year terms    

Montara Water and Sanitary District: three 4-year terms    

Point Montara Fire Protection District: two 4-year terms    

Skyline County Water District: three 4-year terms, one 2-year term

West Bay Sanitary District: two 4-year terms    

Westborough Water District: two 4-year terms, one 2-year term    

Woodside Fire Protection District: one 4-year term    

MidCoast Community Council: four 4-year terms

Qualifications for the offices as set forth in the Principal Acts are: Must be a voter of the District, or as otherwise specified in the Principal Act of the District.

Appointments to each elective office will be made by the supervising authority if there are no candidates or an insufficient number of candidates for that office and a petition for an election is not filed within the time prescribed by law (5:00 P.M. on August 17, 2005). The appointment rules are prescribed by Education Code §§5326 and 5328, Elections Code §§10407 and 10515.

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