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HomeElections CodeDiv. 8Pt. 3Ch. 1§ 8600 Write-In Candidate Requirements

§ 8600 Write-In Candidate Requirements

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

§ 8600 Write-In Candidate Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •If you want to be a write-in candidate (someone people can write your name for on the ballot), you have to fill out a special form.
  • •The form needs your name, address, the job you want, and other basic info like your voting history.
  • •You might also need to get a certain number of people to sign a paper saying they support you.
  • •You can’t be a write-in candidate in a general election for certain jobs where people vote for anyone, not just party members.

Example

Imagine your friend Alex wants to run for mayor, but their name isn’t on the ballot. They want people to write in their name.

Alex has to fill out a form with their name, address, and say they’re running for mayor. They might also need to get 50 people to sign a paper supporting them. If they don’t do this, even if people write in their name, it won’t count.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8600 Write-In Candidate Requirements

Every person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have his or her name as written on the ballot of an election counted for a particular office shall file: (a) A statement of write-in candidacy that contains the following information: (1) Candidate’s name. (2) Residence address. (3) A declaration stating that he or she is a write-in candidate. (4) The title of the office for which he or she is running. (5) The party nomination which he or she seeks, if running in a partisan primary election. (6) The date of the election. (7) A certification of the candidate’s complete voter registration and party affiliation/preference history for the preceding 10 years, or for as long as he or she has been eligible to vote in the state if less than 10 years, if running for a voter-nominated office. (8) For any of the offices described in Section 13.5, a statement that the candidate meets the statutory and constitutional requirements for that office as described in that section. (b) The requisite number of signatures on the nomination papers, if any, required pursuant to Sections 8062, 10220, and 10510, or, in the case of a special district not subject to the Uniform District Election Law (Part 4 (commencing with Section 10500) of Division 10), the number of signatures required by the principal act of the district. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may not be a write-in candidate at the general election for a voter-nominated office. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 25. (AB 1413) Effective February 10, 2012.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

electionregistrationstatementpreferencenominationeffective februaryinformationresidence

Related Statutes

  • § 3011 Voter Ballot Envelope Requirements
  • § 9083.5 Partisan Office Election Procedure
  • § 8040 Candidate Declaration Form
  • § 8062 Nomination Signature Requirements
  • § 8081 Nomination Signature Verification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 8600.
View Official Source