What are the rules for write-in candidates?

In California, write-in candidates are allowed in the General Election, but must follow certain rules. First, they must register as a write-in candidate with the office of the Secretary of State at least seventy-two days before Election Day. This must be done in-person or online. Once registered, the candidate must list their name as it will appear on the ballot and provide a valid mailing address. The candidate also needs to choose a political party, if applicable. To secure a nomination, a write-in candidate must obtain valid signatures from voters who are eligible to vote in the election. The amount of signatures the candidate must obtain is based on the type of election; for example, a presidential candidate must have at least 79,462 valid signatures, while a congressional candidate must have at least 1,000 signatures. The candidate must also file a Statement of Intent to be a write-in candidate with the office of the Registrar of Voters no later than seven days before the election. Write-in candidates must also make sure they are following the legal rules and regulations set out by their jurisdiction, such as limits on contributions and campaign finance disclosure requirements. Finally, the candidate must ensure that each voter they contact is given a write-in ballot guide. This should contain the candidate’s name as it will appear on the ballot and other information the voter needs to know. Following these rules and regulations is important for a successful write-in candidacy.

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What are the rules for write-in candidates?

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