Redwood City, CA — Rounding out an impressive candidate filing period, the San Mateo County Elections Office helped 35 local candidates for school and special districts complete their paperwork on the last day of filing. “We are always busy at the deadline, and we are excited to see so many voters step forward to serve their community by running for office,” stated Warren Slocum , San Mateo County ’s Chief Election s Officer.

Over the span of the four-week filing period, the Elections Office helped 129 citizens become candidates for local elected office for the November 8, 2005 Consolidated Special Statewide Election. “It’s been great to see people respond to the call for participation in local democracy – the numbers have been tremendous,” Slocum noted.

Since July 18 th, candidates have streamed in and out of the Elections Office to file candidacy papers for 19 special districts and 14 school districts. Some districts will experience highly competitive races, while others may not appear on the ballot as there are equal or less candidates to available seats. The final look of the ballot is not set as the filing deadline for select districts has been extended by five calendar days to Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. The Elections Code states that when one or more eligible incumbent does not file nomination papers by today’s deadline, the deadline is extended to allow non-incumbent candidates to declare candidacy.

Joining the candidates on the ballot will be several local measures. The end of the regular candidate filing period also marks the deadline for submission of most local ballot measures. Primary arguments in favor of or against qualified ballot measures must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2005 , and rebuttals to those primary arguments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 29, 2005 . Arguments for city measures are filed with the City Clerk. Arguments for County, school, or special district measures are filed with the County Elections Office.

For additional assistance or to schedule a filing appointment, contact the Election s Office Filing Officer at (650) 312-5370.

A complete roster of candidates, measures, and districts with extensions and/or contested elections can be found on the Elections Division web site www.shapethefuture.org. This roster is updated nightly and is attached for your review.