If you’re ready to take the plunge into local politics and dive into the deep end of the pool, the nomination period for next March’s Primary Election is open now.
“Monday, Nov. 13,” reads a notice from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, “signals the beginning of the nomination period for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election.”
If anyone wants to run for office in that election, the deadline to get nomination papers in is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. But if an incumbent in that office decides not to run, then the deadline gets pushed back to Wednesday, Dec. 13 for that race only. Already, we know that Dist. 5 County Supervisor Debbie Arnold does not plan to run again, however, “This extension period does not apply for party central committee or county council contests or when the incumbent is not running due to term limits.”
The 2024 Elections will be crowded ballots. Contests on the ballot include:
• Federal (elected nationally): U.S. President/Vice President;
• Federal (elected statewide): U.S. Senator (partial/unexpired term) and U.S. Senator (full term);
• Federal (elected by district): U.S. Representative in Congressional Dist. 19 and 24;
• State (elected by district): State Senator Districts 17 and 21; members of the State Assembly Districts 30 and 37;
• Judicial (elected countywide): Superior Court Offices (judges) 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13;
• County (elected by district): County Supervisorial Dist. 1, 3, and 5;
• County (elected countywide): partisan offices of the County Central Committee/County Council Contests (The Democratic County Central Committee elects members by district) for all qualified parties except the American Independent Party.
Anyone interested in running for office is encouraged to call the elections office at 805-781-5228 to make an appointment so that their nomination papers can be prepared in advance.
And if you despise politics and would never run for office, but like to keep tabs on the players, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office will post the status of candidates daily, see: slovote.com.
A person could also apply to be a volunteer poll worker on Election Day at this website.
