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Ballot access requirements for political candidates in California

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as a guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.


In order to get on the ballot in California, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in California. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

California utilizes a top-two primary system. This system establishes a single primary election for all candidates running for office. The primary is open to all registered voters. The top two vote-getters in this primary election then move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. The system was established with the Top Two Primaries Act, which appeared as Proposition 14 on the June 8, 2010, ballot. It was approved with 53.8 percent of the vote and took effect with a special election on April 19, 2011.[1]

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2020

The tables below detail filing requirements for congressional candidates in California in the 2020 election cycle. Note that a candidate must only file petition signatures if he or she does not pay the filing fee. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Partisan primary candidates

Filing requirements for congressional candidates in California, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
California U.S. House District 1 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 2 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 3 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 4 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 5 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 6 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 7 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 8 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 9 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 10 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 11 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 12 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 13 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 14 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 15 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 16 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 17 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 18 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 19 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 20 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 21 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 22 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 23 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 24 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 25 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 26 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 27 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 28 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 29 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 30 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 31 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 32 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 33 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 34 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 35 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 36 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 37 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 38 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 39 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 40 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 41 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 42 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 43 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 44 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 45 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 46 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 47 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 48 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 49 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 50 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 51 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 52 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source
California U.S. House District 53 All candidates 2,000 Fixed by statute $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 12/6/2019 Source

For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and California elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

March 9, 2018

2016

See also: California elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important filing deadlines for political candidates in California in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
February 1, 2016 Campaign finance Semi-annual report due
February 25, 2016 Ballot access Close of signature in lieu of filing fee period for voter-nominated offices
March 11, 2016 Ballot access Close of declaration of candidacy and nomination paper period for voter-nominated offices
April 28, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-election report due
May 26, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-election report due
August 1, 2016 Campaign finance Semi-annual report due
June 7, 2016 Election date Primary election
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
Sources: California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016
California Fair Political Practices Commission, "Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees Listed on the June 7, 2016 Ballot," accessed January 11, 2016

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

Seal of California

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: 8020-8028 and Section 8100-8107 of the California Elections Code

Before accepting or spending money related to campaigning for office, a candidate for state office must file a candidate intention statement with the California Secretary of State. Note that this requirement does not apply to candidates for congressional office; federal campaign finance requirements apply to candidates for federal office. Candidates may qualify to run for office either by paying a filing fee or by submitting a petition in lieu of the filing fee.[6][7][6]

In addition to the candidate intention statement, a candidate is required to file nomination forms with his or her home county. These forms become available as early as the 113th day prior to the primary election and must be filed no later than the 88th day prior to the primary election.[8][9]

Nomination forms include a statement of economic interests, a declaration of candidacy, and nomination papers. Nomination papers require a certain number of signatures from registered voters. If a candidate qualifies by submitting an in-lieu-of-filing-fee petition, the signatures on that petition will be counted towards the requirement for the nomination paper. Registered voters may sign both the in-lieu-of-filing-fee petition and the nomination paper, unless the candidate is using the signatures on the in-lieu-of-filing-fee petition to count toward the nomination paper requirement. If that is the case, a registered voter can sign only one of the documents.[9]

The number of signatures required for nomination papers are as follows:[9][10][11]

  • 65-100 for candidates seeking the office of United States Senator or a state executive office
  • 40-60 for candidates seeking the office of United States Representative, state senator, or state assembly member

If an individual is running as a write-in candidate, the only nomination forms required are the nomination papers and a statement of write-in candidacy. These forms should be filed in the candidate's home county.[6]

Qualifying by payment of fee

The filing fee for a candidate seeking a seat in the United States Senate or a state executive office (e.g., governor or treasurer) is 2 percent of the first year's salary for that office. The filing fee for a candidate seeking the office of United States Representative, state senator, or state assembly member is 1 percent of the first year's salary for that office. The fee is paid to the California Secretary of State through the candidate's home county election office.[9]

Qualifying by petition in lieu of filing fee

Instead of paying a filing fee, a candidate may submit a petition. Signatures may be collected to cover all or any prorated portion of the filing fee.[6]

A candidate seeking the office of state assembly member must file signatures from 1,000 registered voters. Those seeking the office of state senator or United States Representative must file 2,000 signatures, and those seeking statewide office must file 7,000 signatures.[9][12][13]

If the number of registered voters in the district in which the candidate seeks nomination is less than 2,000, a candidate may submit a petition containing four signatures for each dollar of the filing fee, or 20 percent of the total number of registered voters in the district in which he or she seeks nomination, whichever is less.[9]

Completed petitions must be submitted 15 days before the end of the qualifying period to the counties in which the signers reside.[9]

Petition requirements

Election Policy Logo.png
See the articles listed below for more information about ballot access requirements for the 2018 election cycle.
State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018
Independent candidate petition requirements for:
Gubernatorial candidates
U.S. Senate candidates
U.S. House candidates

In some cases, political parties and/or candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain ballot access. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in California.

To collect signatures for these petitions, candidates may utilize circulators, individuals aged 18 years or older who physically go out among voters on the candidate's behalf to witness the signing of the petition. Circulator rules are established by Sections 100-108 of the California Elections Code. When a petition is filed with an election official, each section of it must be accompanied by a signed statement from the circulator declaring the name and address of the circulator and the dates during which all signatures were collected. The circulator must also declare that he or she circulated the petition, witnessed each signature, believes each signature to be valid, and that both the petition and accompanying declaration are true and correct. Both the candidate and the circulator are permitted to sign the petition, as long as they are registered voters in the district corresponding to the office the candidate seeks.[14]

Noteworthy events

2017

On October 15, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed into law AB 469, lowering the number of signatures required for candidates filing for ballot placement via petition in lieu of paying filing fees. The bill was approved by the California State Assembly on May 22, 2017, by a vote of 62-8. The California State Senate approved an amended version of the bill on September 7, 2017, by a vote of 30-10. The Assembly approved the amended bill on September 11, 2017, by a vote of 60-11. Upon being signed into law by Brown, the bill took immediate effect.[12][13]

The bill altered signature requirements as follows:[12][13]

  1. Statewide candidates (e.g., governor, United States Senator, etc.): 7,000 (down from 10,000 prior to enactment of AB 469)
  2. United States Representatives and state senators: 2,000 (down from 3,000 prior to enactment of AB 469)
  3. State representatives: 1,000 (down from 1,500 prior to enactment of AB 469)

Election-related agencies

See also: State election agencies

California Secretary of State

1500 11th St., Fifth Floor
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: 916-657-2166
Fax: 916-653-3214
Website: http://www.sos.ca.gov/

California Fair Political Practices Commission:

428 J St., Room 450
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: 916-322-5660
Fax: 916-322-3711
Website: http://www.fppc.ca.gov/

Counties

See also: Counties in California

A candidate may need to file a number of documents with the election official in his or her county of residence. Individual county office contact information is listed below.

Term limits

California state executives and legislators are subject term limits. These limits were established by Proposition 140, Proposition 28 and Article V of the California Constitution.

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

The state executive term limits in California are as follows:[15]

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits and California Proposition 28, Change in Term Limits (June 2012)

An individual can serve in the California State Legislature for a cumulative total of 12 years. These years can be served in either or both the California State Senate or the California State Assembly.[16]

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from California and List of United States Senators from California

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from California.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from California
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 43 45
Republican 0 9 9
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 52 54

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of California.

California State Senate

Party As of September 2025
     Democratic Party 30
     Republican Party 10
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 40

California State Assembly

Party As of September 2025
     Democratic Party 60
     Republican Party 19
     Independent 0
     Vacancies 1
Total 80

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms California ballot access. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Ballot access requirements for political candidates in California - Google News

See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ State Ballot Measures, "June 8, 2010 Results Page," accessed October 28, 2013
  2. ↑ California Secretary of State Website, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed October 21, 2013
  3. ↑ California Secretary of State Website, "Political Party Qualification," accessed October 21, 2013
  4. ↑ Fair Political Practices Commission, "Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees June 3, 2014 Ballot," accessed December 27, 2013
  5. ↑ Fair Political Practices Commission, " Filing Schedule for State Candidate Controlled Committees November 4, 2014 Ballot," accessed January 22, 2014
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 California Secretary of State, "Candidate Checklist," accessed February 25, 2025
  7. ↑ California Government Code, "Section 85100-85802," accessed February 25, 2025
  8. ↑ Ballotpedia, "Phone call with Office of the California Secretary of State," October 9, 2013
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 California Elections Code, "Section 8000-8700," accessed February 25, 2025
  10. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of United States Senator," February 25, 2025
  11. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of State Senate," accessed February 25, 2025
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 California Legislative Information, "AB 469," accessed February 25, 2025 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "ab469" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "ab469" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Ballot Access News, "California Reduces Number of Signatures Needed on Petitions in Lieu of Filing Fee," October 16, 2017
  14. ↑ California Elections Code, "Title 1: General," accessed February 25, 2025
  15. ↑ California Constitution, "Article V, Section 2 and Section 11" accessed November 4, 2013
  16. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "State Legislative Branch," accessed October 28, 2013
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