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HomeElections CodeDiv. 12Ch. 2§ 12104 Primary Election Office Notice

§ 12104 Primary Election Office Notice

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12104 Primary Election Office Notice

This law tells the Secretary of State to send a written notice to each county telling them which offices and which political parties can take part in the direct primary election, using a set format.

Key Takeaways

  • •The notice must use the exact wording shown in the statute.
  • •It must list every office that will have candidates nominated at the primary, including the superintendent of public instruction.
  • •It must also list the political parties that are qualified to nominate candidates.
  • •A separate notice is required just for the list of qualified parties.
  • •The notice is sent by the Secretary of State to the County Elections Official.

Example

The Secretary of State sends the required notice to the elections officer in Riverside County before the March primary.

The county official receives the form‑letter that lists all the state, congressional, legislative, superintendent, county and judicial offices up for nomination, and also lists the parties that are allowed to run. The county then posts the notice so candidates know which positions they can run for and which parties are on the ballot.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12104 Primary Election Office Notice

(a) A notice designating the offices for which candidates are to be nominated shall be in substantially the following form: NOTICE BY SECRETARY OF STATE OF OFFICES FOR WHICH CANDIDATES ARE TO BE NOMINATED AT THE DIRECT PRIMARY Secretary of State Sacramento,__. 20 __. To the County Elections Official of the County of ____: Notice is hereby given that the offices for which candidates are to be nominated at the primary election to be held on the ____ day of___, 20__, together with the names of the political parties qualified to participate in the election, are as follows: STATE AND DISTRICT OFFICES CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES LEGISLATIVE OFFICES Notice is also hereby given that at the primary election, candi– dates are to be nominated for the following office: SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Notice is also hereby given that at the primary election, in the county first above mentioned, candidates are to be nominated for any county offices or judicial offices to which candidates are to be elected at the ensuing general election; And notice is also hereby given that at the primary election there shall be elected in each county a county central committee for each political party above named pursuant to Division 7 (commencing with Section 7000) of the Elections Code. _____ (seal) _____ Secretary of State (b) The notice designating the political parties qualified to participate in this election for nomination of candidates shall be in substantially the following form: NOTICE BY SECRETARY OF STATE OF POLITICAL PARTIES QUALIFIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION Secretary of State Sacramento, __. 20__. To the County Elections Official of the County of ____: Notice is hereby given that the political parties qualified to participate in this election for nomination of candidates to partisan offices are as follows: _____ (seal) _____ Secretary of State (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 58, Sec. 14. (AB 3259) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

primary electionSUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONpolitical partiescounty central committee

Related Statutes

  • § 12103 Primary Election Notice Requirements
  • § 16101 Candidate Nomination Contests
  • § 2151 Party Preference In Voting
  • § 5100.5 Party Election Qualification Review
  • § 5102 Political Party Disqualification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 12104.
View Official Source