Nominations Period Opens Next Week for June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election
The nominations period opens on Monday, February 9th, for offices participating in the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election. The nominations period closes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th, and can be extended to Wednesday, March 11th, for contests in which an eligible incumbent officeholder does not file.
“The nominations period is the initial phase in the preparation for an election and is one of the most vital stages of the democratic process,” said Matt Moreles, Registrar of Voters. “Our office is proud to offer candidate services that are both inclusive and accessible, providing greater ballot access for a range of candidates as diverse as the community in which we live.”
The County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters’ (ROV) Office is providing candidates with both in-person and online support options for issuing and filing nomination documents during the nominations period.
Options for Issuing Documents: Appointments in-person; by USPS mail; or walk-ins at the ROV.
Options for Filing Documents: Appointments in-person or walk-ins at the ROV; USPS mail; overnight courier delivery; or other delivery service.
Please submit an Initial Nomination Period Forms Packet that includes a Candidate Information Request Form and an Authorization Form to Obtain/File Nomination Documents before authorizing someone other than the candidate to be issued or to file nomination documents. The packet can be found online at the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election Resources webpage under the FORMS section. The candidate must fill out both forms and can email a scanned copy to candidateservices@rov.sccgov.org or have the person authorized to pick up nomination documents bring them in person to the ROV.
PLEASE NOTE: Original, wet signed nomination documents must be submitted by the candidate, or by a person authorized in writing by the candidate, at the ROV. EXCEPTION: Candidates filing their Declaration of Candidacy have two options: 1) sign and take their oath in-person at the ROV; or, 2) sign and take their oath witnessed by a notary public, and mail, deliver or have filed by a person authorized in writing by the candidate at the ROV.
Walk-Ins: Walk-ins will be welcomed; however, wait times may vary and long lines may occur.
CLOSE OF NOMINATION PERIOD: The ROV encourages candidates to file all originally signed nomination documents including a Declaration of Candidacy and nomination signatures, together in one packet as early as possible before end of the nomination period to ensure all paperwork is accurately completed and submitted on time.
PLEASE NOTE: Eligibility to run for an office must be completed before issuance of nomination documents.
Candidates must pay all required filing fees prior to issuance of nomination documents and, if applicable, pay any candidate statement deposits at the time nomination documents are filed.
Candidates or a person authorized in writing by the candidate may file nomination documents at the Candidate Services Division, located at 1555 Berger Drive, Bldg. 2, 3rd Floor, San Jose by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, or if an eligible incumbent does not file and the office nomination period extends, then by Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The following State and local offices are up for election:
United States Representative in Congress, Districts 16, 17, 18, and 19
State Senator, District 10
Member of the Assembly, Districts 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 29
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
Controller
Treasurer
Attorney General
Insurance Commissioner
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Member, State Board of Equalization
Superior Court Judges, Office Numbers 1-28
Board of Supervisors, Districts 1 and 4
County Assessor
Sheriff
District Attorney
A candidate guide for the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election is available to assist those running for office, with valuable information pertaining to qualifications for office, terms of office, procedures, fees, forms, and deadline dates. The candidate guide is available at no cost and may be picked up from the ROV or downloaded from the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election Resources webpage.
CITY OF SAN JOSE CANDIDATES: Candidates interested in running for a City of San Jose office may have different filing requirements and deadlines; therefore, must pick up and file nomination documents with the Office of the City Clerk, located at 200 E. Santa Clara Street, Tower 14th Floor, San Jose, (408) 535-1260, city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov.
Election results will be certified and posted on the ROV website on July 2, 2026. For any contest where no individual candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to the runoff in the November 3, 2026 General Election.
For more information, contact the Candidate Services Division directly at (408) 299-8639 or via email at candidateservices@rov.sccgov.org. For general information, contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office at (408) 299-VOTE (8683) or toll-free at (866) 430-VOTE (8683), or visit www.sccvote.org.
