By Miriam Raftery
July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12. Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.
These are nonpartisan races and in many cases, there are not enough candidates running to fill all the vacant seats. In some local races, candidates win by running unopposed or seats may be filled by appointments if no qualified candidate runs.
Requirements for local offices vary. There are no filing fees, but there is a fee for publishing a candidate’s ballot statement; the fee can be as little as around $100 in a small district to over $1,000 in a large district, with most in the $100-$300 range.
August 12 is also the deadline for candidates to submit ballot statements, which for the first time will be accepted electronically. If an incumbent does not file to run for reelection, the deadline will be extended by five days.
For full guidelines from the Registrar of Voters, visit http://www.sdvote.com/content/dam/rov/en/election/1108_E_Cand_Filing_Guide.pdf.