Election Calendar

DATEACTION
July 13, 2026Candidate nomination filing period opens
August 7, 2026Candidate nomination filing period closes
August 10-12, 2026Extension period for candidate nominations 
(only applies if an incumbent did not file for re-election by the close of the standard candidate nomination period.)
August 13, 2026Random alphabet drawing by Secretary of State
August 14, 2026Argument Deadline
August 14, 2026Impartial Analysis Deadline
August 21, 2026Rebuttal Deadline (only if opposing arguments are filed)
September 19, 2026Deadline to send ballots to currently registered Military/Overseas Voters
September 21, 2026Political campaign signs may be posted. A permit is not required. See Sign Regulations
September 24, 2026Target date for Sonoma County Registrar of Voters to begin mailing County Voter Information Guides
September 24, 2026Deadline for 1st Pre-election Campaign Finance Statement 
(period covering 07/01/26 - 09/19/26)
October 5, 2026Vote-by-mail opens; first day Voters can pick up Vote-by-mail ballots at the Registrar of Voters Office
October 5, 2026First day Registrar of Voters may begin to process Vote-by-Mail ballots
October 6, 2026Official Ballot Drop Boxes Open and is available until 8pm on Election Day (Nov. 3)
October 19, 2026Standard Voter Registration Deadline
October 19, 2026Write-in period ends
October 20, 2026Conditional (a.k.a. "same day") Voter Registration Period Opens and is available until 8pm on Election Day (No​​v. 3)
October 22, 2026Deadline for 2nd Pre-election Campaign Finance Statement 
(period covering 9/20/26 - 10/17/26)
October 24, 202611-day Vote Centers Open: 9am-5pm daily
October 27, 2026Last day to request a Ballot be mailed
October 31, 20264-day Vote Centers Open: 9am-5pm daily
November 3, 2026ELECTION DAY! 
All Vote Centers Open (11-day and 4-day) from 7am-8pm
Official Ballot Drop Boxes Close at 8pm
November 3, 2026Conditional (a.k.a. "same day") Voter Registration Closes at 8pm
November 10, 2026Vote-by-Mail Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day (Nov. 3) must be received by this date to be counted
December 3, 2026Tentative Declaration of Election Results at Town Council Meeting
December 3, 2026Deadline for County Registrar of Voters to complete canvass and certify election results