Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections

February 13, 2008

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

Candidate Filing Period Opens for Special Congressional Election
Filing Period Closes February 25

Redwood City, CA – Yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger issued a proclamation declaring June 3, 2008 as the date for the special election to fill the vacancy in California's 12th Congressional District created by the death of Congressman Tom P. Lantos. The 12th Congressional District encompasses most of San Mateo County and a portion of San Francisco County.

“The law provides clear guidance for filling of the vacancy in these circumstances,” explained San Mateo County Chief Elections Warren Slocum.

Here are the specifics rules that will govern the conduct of the upcoming special election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term which ends on January 3, 2009.

· A Special Congressional Open Primary Election will be held on April 8, 2008. The nomination period for the unexpired term is now open and will close at 5:00 pm on February 25, 2008.

· An “Open” Primary means that all qualified candidates from officially recognized parties will appear on one ballot at the April 8 primary. Voters may choose one candidate from all candidates who appear on the ballot.

· If one of the candidates at the April 8 Primary Election receives a majority of the votes cast, no further election will be held. In that case, the winner will be deemed elected.

· If no candidate receives a majority at the April 8 primary, then those candidates receiving the highest number of votes from each of the qualified political parties will be listed on the ballot for the June 3, 2008 Special Congressional General Election. There are provisions for write-in and independent candidates as well.

· The winner of the special election will ONLY fulfill the remainder of the unexpired term of office, ending on January 3, 2009.

Those seeking the subsequent two-year term of office will need to file and run in the regularly scheduled Primary and General elections, which will occur on June 3, 2008 and November 4, 2008, respectively. The subsequent 2-year term will begin on January 4, 2009. Candidates for this congressional vacancy can file and run in both elections concurrently.

The candidate filing period for the Special Congressional Election is now open and will close at 5:00 pm, Monday, February 25, 2008. To make an appointment or obtain information, prospective candidates may call (650) 312-5293 and ask for Lupe Sanchez, the Candidate Filing Officer. For further information, voters may contact the San Mateo County Registration-Elections Division at (650) 312-5222 or visit www.shapethefuture.org.

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