Contact:
Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer
Phone: (650) 363-4988 E-mail: wslocum@smcare.org

Aternate:
David Tom, Elections Manager
Phone: (650) 312-5222 E-mail: dtom@smcare.org

Calling all Candidates: Elections Conducting Seminars for June Primary
Candidates thinking of running for office in June invited to seminars on Jan. 30 or Feb. 16

Redwood City, CA – Potential candidates thinking of putting their name on the ballot for the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary are encouraged to attend one of two seminars at the Elections Office to learn more about the mechanics of running for office.

We haven’t yet voted in the Feb. 5 Presidential Primary, but it’s already time for some to start thinking ahead to June!
 “This is an opportunity for any candidate interested in running for offices scheduled for the June election – or any voter simply interested in the election process – to meet with key elections staff and get answers to questions about the rules, deadlines, and procedures that apply to local candidates and campaigns,” San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum said. “There are some important issues that candidates must consider before throwing their hat in the ring, and our Candidate Seminar helps demystify the process and facilitates more interest in running for office.”
The seminars for the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Potential candidates can attend either seminar; both will be held at the Elections Office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo.
First-time candidates are strongly encouraged to attend. For those who’ve run for office before, the seminar will cover changes to laws, forms and reporting requirements and can be an important refresher. Campaign managers or other representatives of potential candidates are also welcome to attend.

Topics for the seminar will include campaign finance reports, the candidate filing process, candidate statements, important deadlines, voter registration, Vote by Mail voting, and rules and regulations governing campaign activities.

RSVP for the seminar by contacting Candidate Filing Officer Lupe Sanchez at (650) 312-5293 or lsanchez@smcare.org. Include your name, the office you are seeking, and the number of people in your party.                                

Offices open for election in the June 3  Statewide Direct Primary include the 12th and 14th Congressional Districts; the 12th, 19th and 21st State Assembly Districts; the 11th State Senate District; Central County Committees; Superior Court Judge offices 1 through 7; the 1st, 4th and 5th Supervisorial Districts; and Area 4 Office of Education Trustee. For a complete list of offices to be elected, visit http://www.shapethefuture.org/campaignresources/documents/Offices-To-Be-Elected-June-2008.pdf.

For more information about the Candidate Seminar and the responsibilities of candidates running for office, visit the Campaign Resources section of our Web site at http://www.shapethefuture.org/campaignresources/default.asp. From there, you can also download our 77-page 2008 Candidate Guide for the Statewide Direct Primary Election.