Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: Jim Irizarry, Asst. Chief Elections Officer & Asst. Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
(Redwood City, CA) The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division offers candidate filing seminars for individuals interested in running for office in the upcoming June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election. These seminars also provide guidance on the purchase and use of voter and election data for campaign and voter education purposes.
“We are offering this seminar to accommodate candidates and their staff who may find it difficult to visit our office or who prefer a virtual format,” said Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer and Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. “The same information will be presented simultaneously during an in-person meeting at our San Mateo office, located at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402. The in-person meeting is expected to be especially beneficial for first-time candidates who may be unfamiliar with our office, have additional questions, or wish to meet our staff in person.”
The seminar is scheduled for the following date and time:
Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 2 p.m.
An RSVP is required to receive access to the online meeting. To register, visit smcacre.gov/elections/rsvp-candidate-filing-seminars or email CandidateServices@smcacre.gov. Registrants must provide their name, the office they are seeking, and the number of attendees. After registering online, a meeting invitation with a link to the virtual seminar will be sent via email.
“I highly recommend this seminar to anyone interested in serving their community. Even those who have previously run for office will benefit from these briefings, which provide up-to-date guidance on current laws, required forms, reporting requirements, and effective campaign management,” said Church.
The Candidate Seminar will cover the following topics:
- Key filing deadlines
- Candidate filing requirements
- Candidate statements
- Campaign finance reporting
- Voter data reports
All seminars are open to the public.
Early Voting Period Begins May 4
In early May 2026, San Mateo County’s registered voters will receive their ballots by mail. Three Vote Centers for the June election will open for in-person voting beginning May 4, 2026, with additional Vote Centers opening in the days leading up to Election Day.
For more information about the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election, please call or text (650) 312-5222, visit www.smcacre.gov, or follow us on X @smcvote and Instagram @sanmateocountyvote.