Those wishing to appear on the ballot for the upcoming primary election in March can now file the paperwork to declare their candidacy.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 13, the Orange County Registrar of Voters is accepting candidacy documents for races that will appear on the March 5 ballot. That includes the offices of the president, U.S. Senate, Congress, state Assembly, state Senate, Board of Supervisors and Board of Education as well as judgeships.
This filing period also includes those vying for the central committees for the Democratic, Republican, Green or Peace & Freedom parties.
Eligible candidates can visit the OC  Registrar of Voters’ candidate portal at ocvote.gov/candidates to access the required documents or find them at its office at 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building C in Santa Ana. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General eligibility requirements stipulate that a candidate must be 18 years old by Election Day, a citizen and a registered voter, the Registrar of Voters’ candidate handbook says. To be elected to a county or district office, the candidate must be a registered voter in that county or district, according to the handbook. (District residence is not required to be a representative in Congress.)
Dec. 8 is the deadline to file declarations of candidacy. The nomination period will be extended through Dec. 13, however, if an incumbent fails to file, according to the Registrar of Voters.
There are also several local measures that have already been placed on the March ballot, including questions about voting conditions in Santa Ana and Huntington Beach.
Elections to city councils and school boards for local districts are tied to the general presidential election in November and filing to be candidates for those races happens this summer.
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