This month persons interested in placing their name on the March 7, 2000 primary election ballot may begin to circulate petitions to collect signatures that may reduce or entirely cover the filing fee required to run for office.

In addition to the office of U.S. President, the following offices are up for election on March 7, 2000 include:

U.S. Senate
17^th and 15^th Congressional Districts
15^th State Senate District
27^th and 28^th Assembly Districts
County Supervisors in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 5^th Districts
District Attorney – Public Administrator (short-term)
3 Superior Court Judges
County Central Committees and County Councils
San Benito County Board of Education, Trustee Area 2

Filing fees are required for all offices except central committee, county council and school governing board member. Signature-in-lieu petitions may be obtained from the county Elections Department. Persons running for legislative offices and judge must file their Signature-in-lieu petitions by November 10. Candidates for U.S. Senate, Congress and county supervisor and district attorney have until November 29 to file the petitions.

The process of running for office can be complicated and interested persons are encouraged to contact their local elections official early to make sure that they are aware of the requirements and deadlines. The elections process is extremely unforgiving, and a mistake made too late to correct can impede a person’s desire to be on the ballot.

Important documents to be filed and deadlines to run for office include:

• Signature-In-Lieu Petitions for Legislative & Judicial candidates & Independent candidates for Legislative Offices. Filing Period: Oct. 1 - Nov. 10
• Signature-In-Lieu Petitions for U.S. Senate, Congressional & Board of Supervisor and District Attorney candidates. Filing Period: Oct. 1 - Nov. 29
• Declaration of Intention for Legislative & Judicial candidates & Independent candidates for Legislative Offices. Filing Period: Nov. 1 - Nov. 10
• Declaration of Intention extension for anyone other than the incumbent who did not file. Filing Period: Nov. 11 - Nov. 15
• Declaration of Candidacy for all candidates. Filing Period: Nov. 15 - Dec. 10
• Nomination Paper for all candidates. Filing Period: Nov. 15 – Dec. 10
• Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, optional for Judicial, Board of Supervisor, District Attorney, and Board of Education candidates ONLY. Filing Period: must be filed & paid for with Declaration of Candidacy from Nov. 15 – Dec. 10
• Nomination Document (Declaration of Candidacy & Nomination Paper) extension for anyone other than the incumbent who did not file. Filing Period: Dec. 11 – Dec. 15
• Code of Fair Campaign Practices, optional for all candidates. Filing Period: file with Declaration of Candidacy from Nov. 15 – Dec. 10
• Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) for all candidates EXCEPT candidates for U.S. Senate & Congress. Filing Period: File with Declaration of Candidacy from Nov. 15 – Dec. 10

In addition to the documents that must be filed to place a candidate’s name on the ballot, there are also several documents that must be filed if the candidate plans to raise and spend money. The Santa Cruz County Elections Department has available the manuals and forms required for campaign reporting under the Fair Political Practices Act.

For more information, please call the Santa Cruz County Elections Department at 831-454-2060, visit our office at 701 Ocean St., Room 210 in Santa Cruz, or check out our website at www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us.

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