Primary Election Calendar 2012
Voter-nominated Offices Only
This calendar shows only the dates that apply to the 'voter-nominated candidates' running in the 'top two' June 5, 2012 Primary Election in California. The voter-nominated offices on the June 5 ballot include one US Senator, representatives of the state's 53 congressional districts, representatives of the 80 Assembly districts, and State Senators from the 20 odd-number senatorial districts. The candidates for Congress, Assembly and State Senate will run in the newly drawn districts.
What are voter-nominated offices? Recently enacted laws changed the terminology for state-level offices on the ballot. Certain offices that used to be known as “partisan offices” (state constitutional offices, U.S. Congress, and state legislative offices) are now known as “voter-nominated” offices. The office of U.S. President and county central committee offices are still considered partisan offices. Also, what used to be known as a “political party affiliation” is now known as a “political party preference.”
Please see this calendar for the dates applying to Presidential candidates, political party procedures, county central committee elections, campaign finance deadlines (for all candidates) and county election office requirements. The calendar below does include dates that apply to voters and to publication of reports and results. Note that the official name of the entire election (Presidential and non-Presidential) is the 'Presidential Primary Election.' The calendar below is derived from Secretary of State's June 5, 2012, 'Presidential Primary Election Calendar'.
NOTE: Asterisked dates indicate that the date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday; if the date is also a deadline, in most cases, it will move forward to the next business day. § 15 (Two asterisks indicate that the date is fixed by law.)
Summary of Critical Dates
| Deadline | Process |
|---|---|
| Dec 30, 2011 to Feb 23, 2012 (E-158 to E-103) | SIGNATURES IN LIEU OF FILING FEES — ALL VOTER-NOMINATED, NON-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Period in which all voter-nominated candidates may obtain forms from county elections officials for circulating petitions to secure signatures in lieu of all or part of the filing fee. Signatures may also be applied to the nomination signature requirements for office. |
| Dec 30, 2011 (E-158) | NOTICE OF OFFICES IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION, NON-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Last day for the Secretary of State to prepare and send to each county elections official a notice designating all the offices, except for county officers and judges, for which candidates are to be nominated at the primary election. |
| Jan 31, 2012 (E-126) |
REPORT OF REGISTRATION — 154-DAY STATEWIDE REPORT RELEASED Date that the Secretary of State released a statewide report showing the number of registered voters, by political party preference, in the state, each county, and each political subdivision thereof, as of January 3, 2012 (E-154). |
| Feb 13, 2012 to Mar 9, 2012 (E-113 to E-88) |
DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY AND NOMINATION PAPERS — NONPRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FILING |
| Feb 13, 2012 to Mar 9, 2012 (E-113 to E-88) |
STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS Period in which specified non-incumbent candidates in an election shall file a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) disclosing their investments, interests in real property, and any income received during the immediately preceding months. This filing of statements of economic interests is not required if the candidate has filed such statements within the past 60 days for the same jurisdiction. State legislative candidates must file a copy of their Form 700 with the Secretary of State's Political Reform Division. NOTE: The deadlines for filing the statements of economic interests by certain officeholders may be earlier. Call the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for deadline information at (916) 322-5660. |
Feb 13, 2012 to Mar 9, 2012 (E-113 to E-88) |
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS IN THE COUNTY OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT Period in which United States House of Representatives and State Senate and Assembly candidates may purchase space for a 250-word candidate statement in the official sample ballot(s) of the county or counties in the jurisdiction. Candidates for State Senate and Assembly may purchase statement space only if they have agreed to voluntary expenditure limits. |
| Feb 13, 2012 to Mar 14, 2012 (E-113 to E-83) |
NOMINATION DOCUMENTS FORWARDED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE |
| Feb 15, 2012 (E-111) | CANDIDATE STATEMENTS IN THE STATE VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE DEADLINE |
| Feb 22, 2012 | REPORT OF REGISTRATION — 154-DAY STATEWIDE REPORT PUBLISHED ON OR BEFORE THIS DATE On or before this date, the Secretary of State must release a statewide report showing the number of registered voters, by political party preference, in the state, each county, and each political subdivision thereof, as of January 3, 2012 (E-154). This report is based on the summary statements sent by each county elections official by January 22, 2012* (E-135). The report was published on the Secretary of State's website on January 31, 2012. |
| Feb 23, 2012 (E-103) | SIGNATURES IN LIEU OF FILING FEES — ALL VOTER-NOMINATED, NON- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Last day for voter-nominated candidates to turn in their petitions to the county elections official of the county in which the petition signers reside and are registered to vote. Upon receipt of the required number of in-lieu signatures, or of a sufficient combination of such signatures and the prorated filing fee, the county elections official shall issue the nomination papers provisionally. Within 10 days after receipt of a petition, the county elections official shall notify the candidate of any deficiency. The candidate shall then cover the deficiency either by submitting supplemental signatures or by paying a prorated portion of the filing fee no later than March 9, 2012 (E-88). Any candidate who submits a number of valid in-lieu signatures that meet the nomination signatures requirement and equals or exceeds the minimum number required by Section 8062 for his or her nomination papers shall not be required to file the nomination papers. |
| Mar 4, 2012* (E-93) | SIGNATURES IN LIEU OF FILING FEES — DETERMINE SUFFICIENCY Last day for the county elections official to determine the sufficiency of the in-lieu signatures submitted by voter-nominated candidates for all offices. Within 10 days after receipt of a petition, the county elections official shall notify the candidate of any deficiency. No later than March 9, 2012 (E-88), the candidates notified shall either submit supplemental signatures or pay a prorated fee to cover the deficiency. |
| Mar 9, 2012 (E-88) | DEADLINES: DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY AND NOMINATION PAPERS FILING CANDIDATE STATEMENTS IN THE COUNTY OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT |
| Mar 10, 2012* to Mar 14, 2012 (E-87 to E-83) [5:00 p.m.] | NOMINATION PERIOD EXTENSION - INCUMBENT DOES NOT FILE NOMINATION PAPERS If an eligible incumbent United States Senator, Member of the United States House of Representatives, or Members of the State Senate or Assembly fails to file nomination papers by 5:00 p.m. on March 9, 2012 (E-88), a five-day extension is allowed for any person, other than the incumbent, if otherwise qualified, to file for the office during the extended period. |
| Mar 10, 2012* to Mar 23, 2012 (E-87 to E-74) [5:00 p.m.] | NOMINATION PERIOD EXTENSION — DEATH OF ONLY VOTER-NOMINATED CANDIDATE If only one candidate has filed nomination papers for nomination at the primary election for a voter-nominated office and that candidate dies after March 9, 2012 (E-88), and by March 14, 2012 (E-83), any qualified person may circulate and deliver nomination documents for the office to the county elections official not later than 5:00 p.m. on March 23, 2012 (E-74). |
| Mar 14, 2012 (E-83) | DEADLINES: NOMINATION DOCUMENTS FORWARDED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE |
| Mar 14, 2012 (E-83) | POLITICAL PARTY ENDORSEMENTS Last day for any qualified political party to submit to the county elections official a list of all candidates for voter-nominated office who will appear on any ballot in the county in question, and who have been endorsed by the party. The county elections official shall print any such list that is timely received in the official sample ballot. |
| Mar 15, 2012 (E-82) [11:00 a.m.] | RANDOMIZED ALPHABET DRAWING The Secretary of State shall conduct the randomized alphabet drawing at 11:00 a.m. and mail the results immediately to county elections officials so that they may determine the order in which the candidates shall appear on the Presidential Primary Election ballot. |
| Mar 23, 2012 (E-74) | DEADLINE: NOMINATION PERIOD EXTENSION — DEATH OF ONLY VOTERNOMINATED CANDIDATE By 5:00 p.m. on this day, any qualified person can deliver to the county elections official his or her nomination documents for any voter-nominated office for which only one candidate had filed but who died after March 9, 2012 (E-88), and by March 14, 2012 (E-83). |
| Mar 24, 2012* (E-73) | NOTICE TO CANDIDATES On or before this day, but not fewer than five days before sending the certified list of candidates to the county elections officials, the Secretary of State shall notify each candidate for voter-nominated, non-presidential office of the names, addresses, offices, ballot designations, and party preferences of all other persons who have filed for the same office. PARTY PREFERENCE HISTORY POSTING ON WEBSITE Secretary of State to post on its website the party preference history of each candidate for the preceding 10 years. |
| Mar 29, 2012 (E-68) |
CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES AND ROTATION LIST DEATH OF A CANDIDATE — NAME ON BALLOT |
| Apr 6, 2012 (E-60) | SPECIAL ABSENTEE VOTER BALLOT APPLICATIONS First day the county elections official may process applications for special absentee voter ballots (Federal Post Card Applications). Any applications received by the county elections official prior to this day shall be kept and processed on or after this date. If the applicant is not a resident of the county to which he or she has applied, the elections official receiving the application shall forward it immediately to the proper county. NOTE: A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a special absentee voter will be deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status. |
| Apr 9, 2012 to May 22, 2012 (E-57 to E-14) | STATEMENT OF WRITE-IN CANDIDACY AND NOMINATION PAPERS Period in which all write-in candidates must leave their statements of write-in candidacy and nomination papers with the county elections official for filing with the Secretary of State. |
| Apr 20, 2012 (E-46) |
REPORT OF REGISTRATION — 60-DAY STATEWIDE REPORT RELEASED Date that the Secretary of State released a statewide report showing the number of registered voters, by political party preference, in the state, each county, and each political subdivision thereof, as of April 6, 2012 (E-60). |
| Apr 21, 2012 (E-45)** | MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS — BALLOTS Last day for the county elections official to mail ballots to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters. |
| May 7, 2012 to May 29, 2012 (E-29 to E-7) |
VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION Period in which any registered voter may apply to the county elections official for a vote-by-mail ballot. Applications received before May 7, 2012 (E-29), shall be kept and processed during this application period. |
| May 7, 2012 to June 5, 2012 (E-29 to E) [8:00 p.m.] | VOTING BY MAIL Period in which any registered voter may vote and return a vote-by-mail ballot. |
| May 16, 2012 (E-20) | REPORT OF REGISTRATION — 60-DAY STATEWIDE REPORT PUBLISHED On or before this date, the Secretary of State will release a statewide report showing the number of registered voters, by political party preference, in the state, each county, and each political subdivision thereof, as of April 6, 2012 (E-60). This report is based on the summary statements sent by each county elections official by April 16, 2012 (E-50). The report was published on the Secretary of State's website on April 20, 2012. |
| May 21, 2012 (E-15) |
CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE JUNE 5, 2012, PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION Last day to register to vote in the Presidential Primary Election. The Voter Registration Form shall be mailed (postmarked by this date) or delivered to the county elections official by this date and is effective upon receipt. The Voter Registration Form may also be submitted by this date to the Department of Motor Vehicles or any National Voter Registration Act designated agency. Last day before the Presidential Primary Election for any voter to send a notice or letter advising the county elections official of a change of address within the county. The notice or letter shall be mailed (postmarked by this date) or delivered to the county elections official by this date and is effective upon receipt. The notice or letter may also be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or any National Voter Registration Act designated agency prior to the election. The county elections official shall correct the registration records accordingly. The notice or letter is in lieu of re-registering. Last day for special absentee voters to complete and sign the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registering to vote and requesting an absent voter ballot and to send it to the county elections official. NOTE: A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a special absentee voter will be deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent absent voter status. When a county elections official receives and approves an FPCA from a special absentee voter, the official must provide that voter with vote-by-mail ballots for each subsequent election for federal office in the state unless the voter fails to vote in four consecutive statewide general elections. |
| May 22, 2012 (E-14) | DEADLINE - STATEMENT OF WRITE-IN CANDIDACY AND NOMINATION PAPERS |
| May 22, 2012 to May 29, 2012 (E-14 to E-7) | NEW RESIDENT REGISTRATION PERIOD Any person who becomes a new resident after May 21, 2012 (E-15), may register to vote beginning on May 22, 2012 (E-14), and ending May 29, 2012 (E-7). This registration must be executed in the county elections office and the new resident shall vote a new resident’s ballot in that office. A new resident is eligible to vote for only president and vice president. The ballots of new residents shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote-by-mail ballots. |
| May 22, 2012 to June 5, 2012 (E-14 to E) | NEW CITIZEN REGISTRATION PERIOD A new citizen is eligible to register and vote at the office of, or at another location designated by, the county elections official at any time beginning on May 22, 2012 (E-14), and ending at the close of polls on June 5, 2012 (E). A new citizen registering to vote after the close of registration shall provide the county elections official with proof of citizenship prior to voting and shall declare that he or she has established residency in California. The ballots of new citizens shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote-by-mail ballots. |
| May 25, 2012 (E-11) [Date designated by Secretary of State] | CERTIFIED LIST OF WRITE-IN CANDIDATES Secretary of State will prepare and send to affected county elections officials a certified list of write-in candidates showing the name of every write-in candidate eligible to receive votes within the county at the Presidential Primary Election, their addresses, and the offices to which they seek election. This list will also be mailed to each person in the affected offices. |
| May 29, 2012 (E-7) | DEADLINES: VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION Last day for the county elections official to receive any voter’s application for a vote-by-mail ballot and to issue such ballot for the Presidential Primary Election. NEW RESIDENT REGISTRATION PERIOD Last day for new resident to register to vote prior to Election Day. This registration must be executed in the county elections office and the new resident shall vote a new resident’s ballot in that office. A new resident is eligible to vote for only president and vice president. The ballots of new residents shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote-by-mail ballots. |
| May 30, 2012 to June 4, 2012 (E-6 to E-1) [5:00 p.m.] | SPECIAL ABSENTEE VOTER — RECALLED TO MILITARY SERVICE A registered special absentee voter recalled to service after May 29, 2012 (E-7), but before 5:00 p.m. on June 4, 2012 (E-1), may appear before the county elections official in the county in which the special absentee voter is registered or, if within the state, in the county in which he or she is recalled to service and apply for a vote-by-mail ballot which may be submitted by facsimile, or by email or online transmission if the elections official makes the transmission option available. The vote-by-mail ballot may be voted in or outside the elections official’s office on or before the close of the polls on Election Day and returned in the same manner as other vote-by-mail ballots. To be counted, the ballot must be returned to the elections official’s office in person, by facsimile transmission, or by an authorized person on or before the close of the polls on Election Day. If the special absentee voter appears in the county in which he or she is recalled to service, rather than the county to which he or she is registered, the elections official shall coordinate with the elections official in the county in which the special absentee voter is registered to provide the vote-by-mail ballot that contains the appropriate measures and races for the precinct in which the special absentee voter is registered. |
| May 30, 2012 to June 5, 2012 (E-6 to E) | REQUEST FOR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS — LATE CONDITIONS Period in which any voter may request in writing a vote-by-mail ballot if because 6/5/12 of specified conditions he or she will be unable to go to the polls on Election Day. A written statement is not necessary if the vote-by-mail ballot is voted in the office of the elections official at the time of the request. The voter may designate any authorized representative to return the voted vote-by-mail ballot. |
| June 1, 2012 (E-4) | REPORT OF REGISTRATION — DATE ORIGINALLY PROJECTED FOR 15-DAY STATEWIDE REPORT RELEASE Date originally projected by the Secretary of State to release a statewide report showing the number of registered voters, by political party preference, in the state, each county, and each political subdivision thereof. This report is based on the summary statements on the number of persons registered as of May 21, 2012 (E-15) sent by each county elections official by May 29, 2012 (E-7). The Secretary of State's Office will publish the 15-day Report of Registration on or before June 28, 2012. |
| June 4, 2012 (E-1) [5:00 p.m.] |
SPECIAL ABSENTEE VOTER — RECALLED TO MILITARY SERVICE Last day a registered special absentee voter recalled to service after May 29, 2012 (E-7), but before 5:00 p.m. on June 4, 2012 (E-1), may obtain from the county elections official a vote-by-mail ballot which can be voted in, or outside, the county elections official's office on or before the close of the polls on Election Day and returned as are other voted vote-by-mail ballots. |
| June 5, 2012 (E) |
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION DAY |
| June 5, 2012 (E) |
SPECIAL ABSENTEE VOTERS |
| June 5, 2012 (E) [8:00 p.m.] |
SEMI-FINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS BEGINS Beginning at 8:00 p.m. and continuously until completed, the county elections official shall conduct the semi-final official canvass of votes and report totals to the Secretary of State at least every two hours. |
| June 7, 2012 (E+2) | OFFICIAL CANVASS BEGINS Beginning no later than the Thursday following the election, the county elections official must begin the official canvass of the precinct returns. This canvass must be completed no later than July 3, 2012 (E+28). |
| July 3, 2012 (E+28) | OFFICIAL CANVASS ENDS No later than this date, the county elections official must complete the canvass, certify its results, and submit it to the board of supervisors. This is also the suggested deadline for the board of supervisors to declare the winners for each office and the results of each measure under its jurisdiction. The county elections official shall make and deliver to each person elected or nominated under its jurisdiction a certificate of election or nomination. |
| July 6, 2012 (E+31) | STATEMENT OF RESULTS TO SECRETARY OF STATE By this date, the county elections official shall send to the Secretary of State, in an electronic format, one complete copy of the returns for all candidates voted for at the Presidential Primary Election, including President, United States Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, and Members of the State Senate and Assembly, and for all statewide ballot measures. |
| July 13, 2012 (E+38) | STATEMENT OF THE VOTE Last day for the Secretary of State to prepare, certify, and file a statement of the vote from the compiled election returns. |
| July 14, 2012* (E+39) [Suggested Date] | CERTIFICATES OF NOMINATION Secretary of State shall issue certificates of nomination to candidates nominated for United States Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, and Members of the State Senate and Assembly. |
| November 10, 2012* (E+158) | SUPPLEMENT TO THE STATEMENT OF THE VOTE Last day for the Secretary of State to compile a supplement to the statement of the vote showing the number of votes cast in each county, city, Assembly district, state senatorial district, congressional district and supervisorial district for each candidate for the office of United States Senator and on each statewide ballot measure. |
