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 for the 12th Special Congressional Election
to Close on Feb 25

Redwood City, CA – The deadline for those seeking to run in the Special Congressional Election to fill the unexpired term of office in the 12th Congressional District created by the death of Congressman Tom P. Lantos is Monday, Feb. 25 at 5:00 pm. The 12th Congressional District encompasses most of San Mateo County and a portion of San Francisco County.

The Special Congressional Open Primary Election will be held on April 8, 2008. This election is unusual in that an “Open” Primary will be held to fill the vacancy, meaning 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. Candidates seeking to fill the remainder of the unexpired term may also file nomination papers to run in the June Statewide Direct Primary to seek the 12th Congressional District term of office that will begin on January 4, 2009.

For additional assistance or to schedule a filing appointment, contact Lupe Sanchez, the Elections Office Filing Officer at (650) 312-5293.

A complete roster of the candidates who have filed to run for this office can be found on the Elections Division web site www.shapethefuture.org. This roster is updated nightly.