Candidate Filing Nomination Packet – November 7, 2023, Special District Election

Candidate Filing Appointment Scheduler

Candidates or their authorized representative MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT to obtain and/or file nomination papers with the Candidate Filing Appointment Scheduler or by calling our office at (530) 666-8133.

Yolo County Elections Office Candidate Guide – November 7, 2023, Special District Election

The Candidate Guide for the November 7, 2023, Special District Election is intended to provide general information for candidates and committees and does not have the force or effect of law, regulation, or rule. It is distributed with the understanding that the Yolo County Elections Office is not rendering legal advice. Therefore, the guide is not a substitute for legal counsel for the individual, organization, or candidate using it.

Candidate Filing Receipt

A number of documents must be filed at the local county elections office and also at the Secretary of State’s office, in order to qualify as a candidate for office in the primary election. The Candidate Filing Receipt is an overview and checklist of the required documents for candidates running for office.

Candidate Preliminary Information Form

The Candidate Preliminary Information Form is the first step to starting the candidate filing process. Starting on the first day of the nomination period, July 17th, prospective candidates must complete the form prior to receiving candidate filing documents. The form is used to verify the qualifications of the candidate.

Letter of Authorization

A candidate may designate a specific person to obtain and/or file nomination papers and/or a Declaration of Candidacy form on behalf of the candidate. A Letter of Authorization Form must be properly completed and signed by the candidate prior to their designated agent either obtaining or filing the nomination papers for the candidate.

Yolo County November 7, 2023, Special District Election Calendar

Election calendar with important dates and deadlines for the November 7, 2023, Special District Election. The calendar is also included in the Candidate Guide.

Summary of Qualifications and Requirements

The Summary of Qualifications and Requirements are listed in the Candidate Guide and is reproduced here. Each office also lists the required documents to be filed with the county of residence's elections office or the Secretary of State to qualify as a candidate.

Declaration of Qualifications for Office

The candidate signs the Qualifications for Office Form under penalty of perjury.declaring the candidate meets the qualifications established for service for the office that are listed in the Summary of Qualifications and Requirements. 

Ballot Designation Worksheet — (Not applicable for Write-in Candidates)

The purpose of the Ballot Designation Worksheet is for the candidate to give information to substantiate his or her Ballot Designation to appear on the ballot under the candidate's name. It must be completed in its entirety. The candidate signs this worksheet under penalty of perjury that the Ballot Designation and the provided backup information are accurate.

The ballot designation describes the current principal profession, vocation, occupation, or incumbency status of the candidate that will appear on the ballot under the candidate’s name.

The listing of a designation on the ballot is OPTIONAL. Ballot designations become public record once the information is filed on the Declaration of Candidacy. Ballot designations cannot be changed after the final date to file nomination documents.

Declaration of Candidacy and Oath of Office — (Not applicable for Write-in Candidates)

The Declaration of Candidacy is the document on which the candidate indicates how the candidate wants the candidate’s name to appear on the ballot, what Ballot Designation the candidate desires, if any, and what contact information the candidate wants published on the Candidate Filing List of Candidates webpage. The document also contains the Oath of Office.

Character-based Name Form — (Not applicable for Write-in Candidates)

At the request of a candidate who has completed the Character-based Name Form, the elections office will publish a translation or transliteration of a candidate's name in Chinese, Korean, Punjabi or Russian characters. Candidates with character-based names by birth, or who identify with a character-based name, may use that name on the ballot next to the English name, instead of a translation or phonetic transliteration.

Candidate Statements — (Not applicable for Write-in Candidates)

County Candidate Statement - Yolo County Voter information Guide Only  — (Not applicable for Write-in Candidates)

The Yolo County Candidate Statement Guidelines (also found in the Yolo County Candidate Guide) shall be used for candidate statements submitted to the Yolo County Elections office for inclusion in the county Voter Information Guide for the November 7, 2023, Special District Election. The maximum number of words and paragraphs for a candidate statement are listed on the Estimated Cost of Yolo County Candidate Statements webpage for eligible candidate offices. The Yolo County Candidate Statement form must be submitted to the Yolo County Elections office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023 whether the candidate is submitting a statement or declining to submit a statement.

• Yolo County Candidate Statement Form (required)
• Estimated Cost of Yolo County Candidate Statements
• Yolo County Candidate Statement Guidelines

Statement of Write-In Candidacy and Oath of Office (to be posted September 11, 2023)

Every person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have his or her name written on the ballot by the voter and counted for a specific office shall file a Statement of Write-in Candidacy Form. The form also contains the Oath of Office. The Write-In Candidate filing period is from September 11, 2023 to October 24, 2023.

Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Campaign Finance Forms and Manuals

FPPC Forms, Campaign Manuals, Candidate Toolkits, and Filing Schedules with mandatory filing deadlines are available on the FPPC website www.fppc.ca.gov. Candidates are encouraged to learn more about campaign finance filing obligations:

• Campaign Rules
• Candidate Toolkit
• Campaign Advertising - Requirements & Restrictions

Some campaign finance information for Yolo County is also available on our website under the Candidate Services section. Electronic filing for FPPC campaign financial disclosure forms is available for candidates who file with the Yolo County Elections Office. Refer to our eCampaign Electronic Filing section for more details.

Code of Fair Campaign Practices

At the time an individual is issued his or her declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or any other paper evidencing an intention to be a candidate for public office, the elections official shall give the individual a blank form of the Code of Fair Campaign Practices and a copy of this chapter. Subscription to the code is voluntary.

Recommendations for Minimizing Cyber Risk

As part of the ongoing process to protect our elections, the California Secretary of State’s office has developed a “Recommendations for Minimizing Cyber Risk” document.

Political parties, candidates, and elections administrators cannot be alone in the fight against malicious actors who seek to undermine our elections. As political campaigns and organizations are targets of cyber threats, they too have a role and responsibility in defending our democracy. Everyone’s actions are critical in maintaining public trust in our elections and minimizing the threat of cyber incidents.

The recommendations included in the document are intended to reduce the likelihood and severity of cyberattacks.