Candidate Filing

This page is used to provide forms and information to candidates for elected offices, including what forms are needed for specific types of offices. The information and forms are provided as a convenience for candidates, and it is up to the individual filing for an elected office to ensure they have the correct forms and file with the correct agency.

COVID-19 Procedures

During the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates may e-mail their filing documents for review to ROV-Candidate@sonoma-county.org. Please note that the office will not review documents for accuracy, only verify that the documents are complete. Once documents have been verified, candidates can make an appointment to take their oath either in the office or via online video conference by calling 707-565-6800. Completed documents with original signatures must be received by our office by the filing deadline. Candidates may submit documents with original signatures, M-F from 8am-5pm, by appointment, in the office drive-thru drop box, or via mail or other delivery service.

Where to File

To run for state, county, and most school or special district offices, file at the Registrar of Voters Office. To run for city offices, file with your City/Town Clerk.

Cloverdale	Cotati	Healdsburg
Petaluma	Rohnert Park	Santa Rosa
Sebastopol	Sonoma	Windsor

District Lookup

Click here to check which district you live in (use your residential address). Most offices require you to live in the district.

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines are specific to each election. Deadlines for upcoming elections can be found on the Elections page, on the Timeline Calendar, Calendar of Events and Campaign Guide. The guides will be made available as the election nears.

Candidate Filing Matrix

Required Documents

Document Names	US Senate	US Rep (Congress)	State Legislative	Judicial	School Gov Board	County	City / Town	Special District	Central Cmte
Campaign Statements (Forms 470, 501, 460 &/or 410)*			x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)			x	x	x	x		x
Declaration of Candidacy (in office only)	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Candidate Information Sheet	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Declaration of Intention (in office only, after payment of fees)				x
Statement of Qualifications (Optional) (State / Local)		x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Ballot Designation Worksheet	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Nomination Petition (in office only, after payment of fees)	x	x	x	x		x	x		x
Code of Fair Campaign Practices (Optional)			x	x	x	x	x	x	x

Additional Documents Provided

Document Names	US Senate	US Rep (Congress)	State Legislative	Judicial	School Gov Board	County	Special District	Central Cmte
GC §84305 notice	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Campaign Guide (see specific Election page for guide)	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Local Campaign Ordinance						x

* Required campaign statements depend on the amount of money a candidate plans to raise or spend (excluding personal funds used for the filing fee and/or fee for the Statement of Qualifications)

Raising/Spending $0: Form 470 (except central committee candidates)
Raising/Spending $0.01 - $1,999.99: Form 470 & Form 501
Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more: Form 410 & Form 501 (as well as Form 460 by reporting deadlines -- see FPPC filing schedule)

See Campaign Finance page for more information

Candidate Filing Documents

Campaign Finance Statements
- Required campaign statements depend on the amount of money a candidate plans to raise or spend (excluding personal funds used for the filing fee and/or fee for the Statement of Qualifications)
- Form 470 Officeholder and Candidate Campaign Statement — Short Form and Form 470 Supplement(PDF)
  - Raising/Spending $0 (except central committee candidates)
  - Raising/Spending $0.01 - $1,999.99
- Form 501 Candidate Intention Statement(PDF)
  - Raising/Spending $0.01 - $1,999.99
  - Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more
- Form 410 Statement of Organization Recipient Committee(PDF)
  - Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more
- Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement (PDF)
  - Raising/Spending $2,000.00 or more
  - On FPPC Filing Schedule
Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)
- FPPC Instructions and current form
Declaration of Candidacy (in office only)
Candidate Information Sheet
Declaration of Intention (in office only, after payment of fees)
Statement of Qualifications (Optional)
- Local Offices(PDF: 232kB)
- State / Federal Offices(PDF: 227kB)
Ballot Designation Worksheet(PDF)
Nomination Petition (in office only, after payment of fees)
Code of Fair Campaign Practices (Optional) (PDF: 45kB)
Government Code 84305 Notice(PDF)
Campaign Guide
- Specific to each election
Local Campaign Ordinance – Sonoma County (PDF)
- See City / Town for applicable local campaign ordinance

Office Terms

Office	Date	Term / Term Limits	Code Section
President	January 20th at noon	4 year / 2 term maximum	U.S. Const. Amendment XX, § 1
State Assembly – 80 members (Legislative Office)	First Monday in December following election	2 year / Members elected to the legislature or their first time in 2012 or later may serve a total of twelve years in either house, or a combination of the two houses. A person may serve all twelve years in either the Assembly or the Senate, or split between the two houses.	CA. Const. Art. IV §2 & 3
State Senate – 40 members (Legislative Office)	First Monday in December following election	4 year / Members elected to the legislature or their first time in 2012 or later may serve a total of twelve years in either house, or a combination of the two houses. A person may serve all twelve years in either the Assembly or the Senate, or split between the two houses.	CA. Const. Art. IV §2 & 3
Representative in Congress	January 3rd	2 years / none	U.S. Const. Amendment XX, §2
U. S. Senators – 2 from each state	January 3rd	6 years / none	U.S. Const. Amendment XX, §1
Special Districts	First Friday in December at noon following election	4 years / none	E. C. §10554
School Districts	Second Friday in December following election	4 years / none	Ed. Code §5017
Superior Court Judges	First Monday after January 1 following election	6 years / none	CA. Const. Art. VI §16
Statewide Offices (Governor, Secretary of State, etc)	First Monday after January 1 following election	4 years / 2 terms	CA. Const. Art. V
County Offices	First Monday after January 1 following election	4 years / none	Gov. Code §24200
County Supervisors	First Monday after January 1 following election	4 years / none	Gov. Code §24200