PRESS RELEASE

PR26-31
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
March 9, 2026
Contact: sospress@sos.ca.gov

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Announced Candidate Filing Deadline Extended in Congressional and Legislative Districts Where No Eligible Incumbent Has Filed

Sacramento, Calif. – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., announced that the candidate filing period has been extended until close of business on March 11, 2026, for congressional and state legislative races where eligible incumbents did not file to run for re-election.

The list of districts where this is applicable for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election can be found at: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ccrov/2026/march/26053er.pdf

State law Elections Code Sections 8022 and 8165, provide that the candidate filing period for congressional and state legislative races extends if an eligible incumbent does not file to run for re-election. Senate Bill 280 revised the 5-day nomination incumbent extension period for the office of United States Representative in Congress for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election.

The California Office of the Secretary of State will release the complete Certified List of Candidates no later than March 26, 2026.

Key dates and deadlines for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election can be found at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026/key-dates-and-deadlines

The Complete June 2, 2026, Primary Election Calendar is available at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2026-primary/primary-election-calendar.pdf

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