CHAPTER 1. Nomination of Candidates for Legislative and Congressional Offices at Special Elections [10700. - 10707.]

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC 1.

in effect

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10700. Section 10700.

The Governor shall call all statewide special elections by issuing a proclamation pursuant to Section 12000. Except as provided by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10730), in the case of a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office the Governor shall issue a proclamation, within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy, calling a special election in accordance with Section 10703. A copy of the proclamation shall be sent to the board of supervisors of each affected county.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10701. Section 10701.

(a) When a vacancy occurs in a congressional office after the close of the nomination period in the final year of the term of office, the Governor may decline to issue an election proclamation at his discretion. (b) When a vacancy occurs in a legislative office after the close of the nomination period in the final year of the term of office, no special election shall be held.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10702. Section 10702.

Except as provided by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10730), this chapter provides the procedures for nomination and election of candidates at any special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, State Senator, or Member of the Assembly.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10703. Section 10703.

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, State Senator, or Member of the Assembly shall be conducted on a Tuesday at least 126 days, but not more than 140 days, following the issuance of an election proclamation by the Governor pursuant to Section 1773 of the Government Code. (2) A special election to fill a vacancy in an office listed in paragraph (1) may be conducted within 200 days following the proclamation in order to consolidate the election or the primary election with an election occurring wholly or partially within the same territory in which the vacancy exists. (b) Except as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10730), a special election or a primary election shall not be conducted on the day after a state holiday.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10704. Section 10704.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a special primary election shall be held in the district in which the vacancy occurred on the 9th Tuesday or, if the 9th Tuesday is the day of or the day following a state holiday, the 10th Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election at which the vacancy is to be filled. Candidates at the primary election shall be nominated in the manner set forth in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 8000) of Part 1 of Division 8, except that nomination papers shall not be circulated more than 73 days before the primary election, shall be left with the county elections official for examination not less than 53 days before the primary election, and shall be filed with the Secretary of State not less than 53 days before the primary election. (b) A special primary election shall be held in the district in which the vacancy occurred on the 10th Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election at which the vacancy is to be filled if both of the following conditions apply: (1) The 10th Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election is an established election date pursuant to Section 1000. (2) A statewide or local election occurring wholly or partially within the same territory in which the vacancy exists is scheduled for the 10th Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election. (c) The sample ballot for a special election shall contain a written explanation of the election procedure for voter-nominated office as specified in subdivision (b) of Section 9083.5. Immediately after the explanation shall be printed the following: “If one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast at the special primary election, the candidate will be elected to fill the vacancy and no special general election will be held.” (d) On the ballot for a special election, immediately before or above the first contest for a voter-nominated office, the following words shall be printed: “Voter-Nominated Offices All voters may vote in these contests. Candidates display a party preference (or None) for the information of voters. This is not a party endorsement or approval.”

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10705. Section 10705.

(a) All candidates shall be listed on one ballot and, except as provided in subdivision (b), if any candidate receives a majority of all votes cast, he or she shall be declared elected, and no special general election shall be held. (b) If only one candidate qualifies to have his or her name printed on the special general election ballot, that candidate shall be declared elected, and no special general election shall be held.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10706. Section 10706.

If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast, the names of the candidates who receive the highest or second highest number of votes cast at the special primary election shall be placed on the special general election ballot. In the case of a tie vote, subdivision (b) of Section 8142 shall apply.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10707. Section 10707.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, whenever a special general election, or a special primary election, to fill a vacancy in Congress or the State Legislature is consolidated with a statewide election, the candidates to fill the vacancy shall appear on the consolidated ballot immediately preceding the candidates for that same seat in Congress or the seat in the Legislature that most nearly encompasses the same geographical area at the statewide election, or the elections official at his or her option may print a separate and distinct ballot.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026