Write-In Candidates

San Diego Municipal Code ch. 2, art. 7, div. 3

in effect

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0301 General Provisions for Write-in Candidates

§27.0301 General Provisions for Write-in Candidates Write-in candidates are permitted only in District Primary Elections, Citywide Primary Elections, primary special elections, recall elections, and removal elections called by the Council under section 27.0105 of this Article. Write-in candidates are not permitted in District General Elections, Citywide General Elections, or run-off special elections. (“General Provisions for Write-in Candidates” renumbered from Sec. 27.3201 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 9-6-2005 by O-19407 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2018 by O-21009 N.S.; effective 12-20-2018.) (Amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0302 Write-In Candidate Nomination Procedure

§27.0302 Write-In Candidate Nomination Procedure Nominations of write-in candidates for all elective offices shall be made by submitting nomination papers for filing in the Office of the City Clerk as provided by the City Clerk. (“Write-In Candidate Nomination Procedure” added 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0303 Nomination Papers for Write-in Candidates

§27.0303 Nomination Papers for Write-in Candidates Nomination papers required of write-in candidates seeking nomination to elective office are: the Declaration of Write-in Candidacy; nominating petition; Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700); and election filing fee. Format and forms shall follow the City Clerk Administrative Guidelines. The City Clerk will not issue a write-in candidate nomination papers until the City Clerk verifies the write-in candidate’s voter registration and residency under section 27.0305. (“Nomination Papers for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0302 to Section 27.0303 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Personal Appearance of Write-in Candidates

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0304

§27.0304 Write-in candidates seeking nomination and election by write-in ballot shall appear personally before the City Clerk to obtain and submit nomination papers for filing, unless service with the United States Armed Forces or a disability prevents such an appearance. (“Personal Appearance of Write-in Candidates” renumbered from Sec. 27.3203 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0303 to Section 27.0304 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0305 Residency Requirements for Write-in Candidates

§27.0305 Residency Requirements for Write-in Candidates Write-in candidates seeking nomination and election by write-in ballot shall comply with the residency requirements in section 27.0110. (“Residency Requirements for Write-in Candidates” renumbered from Sec. 27.3204 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0304 to Section 27.0305 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0306 Time to Obtain Nomination Papers for Write-in Candidates

§27.0306 Time to Obtain Nomination Papers for Write-in Candidates (a) Nomination papers for a write-in candidate in a District Primary Election or a Citywide Primary Election may be obtained from the City Clerk no earlier than 64 calendar days before the election for which the write-in candidate is filing as a write-in candidate. (b) In the case of a special election, recall election, or removal election, nomination papers for write-in candidates shall be submitted for filing in the Office of the City Clerk as set forth in the schedule established by the City Clerk consistent with Charter section 302, except that for special elections that would be consolidated with another statewide election, the Council shall adopt a schedule consistent with the filing of nomination documents for the statewide election. (“Time to Obtain Nomination Papers for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 9-6-2005 by O-19407 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2018 by O-21009 N.S.; effective 12-20-2018.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0305 to Section 27.0306 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Declaration of Write-In Candidacy

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0307

§27.0307 Write-in candidates seeking nomination and election by write-in ballot shall complete and sign under California perjury laws a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy and Oath at the time of submitting nomination papers to the City Clerk. The Declaration of Write-in Candidacy and Oath shall be countersigned by the City Clerk or the City Clerk’s authorized deputy, and shall be considered filed at the time of signing. (“Statement and Affidavit of Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0306 to Section 27.0307, retitled from “Statement and Affidavit of Write-in Candidates” to “Declaration of Write-In Candidacy” and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0308 Signing Voter’s Information for Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates

§27.0308 Signing Voter’s Information for Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates Signatures on the voter signature portion of a nominating petition for a write-in candidate shall be executed by voters in their own handwriting, and each signer shall also affix their printed name, the date of their signature, and their place of residence, including street and house number, or other designation from which the location of the place of residence may be readily ascertained. (“Signing Voter’s Information for Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0310 to Section 27.0308 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Required Number of Signatures on Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0309

§27.0309 (a) Only voters may sign the voter signature portion of a nominating petition for a write-in candidate. Signatures of individuals who are not voters shall be invalid. (b) Nominating petitions for write-in candidates for the office of Councilmember shall be signed by at least 120 voters registered in the district and who at the time of signing are registered voters in the district from which the write-in candidate seeks nomination. (c) Nominating petitions for write-in candidates for the offices of Mayor and City Attorney shall be signed by at least 240 individuals residing in the City of San Diego and who at the time of signing are registered voters of the City. (d) Nominating petitions of write-in candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be signed by at least 200 voters registered in the district of the San Diego Unified School District and who at the time of signing have been registered voters for a period of at least 30 calendar days in the district from which the write-in candidate seeks nomination. (“Required Number of Signatures on Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S) (Amended 9-27-1999 by O-18690 N.S.) (Amended 1-30-2020 by O-21173 N.S.; effective 2-29-2020.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0311 to Section 27.0309 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0310 Write-in Candidacy Limited to One Office

§27.0310 Write-in Candidacy Limited to One Office A write-in candidate may not submit for filing a nominating petition for more than one elective office at any election. (“Write-in Candidacy Limited to One Office” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0312 to Section 27.0310 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0311 Signing of Nominating Petitions for Write-in Candidates

§27.0311 Signing of Nominating Petitions for Write-in Candidates (a) It is unlawful for any individual to sign a write-in candidate’s nominating petition more than one time. (b) It is unlawful for any individual to sign more than one nominating petition for the same elective office and if they do, their signature shall count only for the first nominating petition which is filed and in which the signature is used to qualify a candidate or write-in candidate. (“Signing of Nominating Petitions for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0314 to Section 27.0311 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Time for Submitting Nomination Papers of Write-in Candidates to City Clerk

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0312

§27.0312 (a) Nomination papers for a write-in candidate in a District Primary Election or Citywide Primary Election shall be submitted for filing in the Office of the City Clerk not earlier than 64 calendar days before the election for which the write-in candidate is filing as a write-in candidate, and shall be submitted for filing in the Office of the City Clerk not later than 36 calendar days before the date of the election. (b) In the case of a special election called to fill a vacated elective office, recall election, or removal election, nomination papers for write-in candidates shall be submitted for filing in the Office of the City Clerk on a deadline date established by the City Clerk consistent with Charter section 302; except that for special elections that are consolidated with another election, the Council shall adopt a filing schedule consistent with the filing of nomination papers for write-in candidates for that election. (c) All write-in candidate nomination papers shall be submitted for filing at the same time; no supplemental filings are allowed. (“Time for Submitting Nomination Papers of Write-in Candidates to Clerk” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 9-6-2005 by O-19407 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2018 by O-21009 N.S.; effective 12-20-2018.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0315 to Section 27.0312, retitled from “Time for Submitting Nomination Papers of Write-in Candidates to Clerk” to “Time for Submitting Nomination Papers of Write-in Candidates to City Clerk,” and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Acceptance or Rejection of Nomination Papers of Write-in Candidates as Filed

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0313

§27.0313 (a) If, based on an initial review, the City Clerk determines that a write-in candidate’s nomination papers substantially comply with this Division and Division 6, as applicable, and the write-in candidate has obtained the minimum amount of signatures required for that elective office, the City Clerk shall accept the nomination papers as filed. (b) If the City Clerk determines that a write-in candidate’s nomination papers do not substantially comply with this Division and the provisions of Division 6, as applicable, the City Clerk shall not accept the nomination papers as filed. (“Acceptance or Rejection of Nomination Papers of Write-in Candidates as Filed” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0317 to Section 27.0313 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0314 Verification of Nominating Petition Signatures for Write-in Candidates; Time

§27.0314 Verification of Nominating Petition Signatures for Write-in Candidates; Time (a) The City Clerk shall have a period of 30 calendar days after a nominating petition for a write-in candidate has been accepted as filed to verify the validity or invalidity of signatures. (b) The City Clerk shall have a period of 60 calendar days after a nominating petition has been accepted as filed to verify the signatures in section 27.0318. (c) To determine the sufficiency or insufficiency of a nominating petition for a write-in candidate, the City Clerk shall only count valid signatures. (d) If the circulator’s affidavit of authenticity for any given petition page has not been signed by the circulator, the signatures on that petition page shall be invalid. (“Verification of Nominating Petition Signatures for Write-in Candidates; Time” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0318 to 27.0314 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Notification of Sufficiency of Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0315

§27.0315 If the City Clerk finds a nominating petition for a write-in candidate to be sufficient and in proper form, the City Clerk shall so certify and shall send a notice of sufficiency to the write-in candidate nominated. (“Notification of Sufficiency of Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0319 to Section 27.0315 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0316 Notice of Insufficiency of Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates

§27.0316 Notice of Insufficiency of Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates If the City Clerk finds a nominating petition for a write-in candidate to be insufficient or in improper form, the City Clerk shall so certify and shall send a notice of insufficiency to the write-in candidate seeking nomination. (“Notice of Insufficiency of Nominating Petition for Write-in Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0320 to Section 27.0316 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0317 Nominating Fee for Write-In Candidates

§27.0317 Nominating Fee for Write-In Candidates The election nominating fee for a write-in candidate for the offices of Councilmember, Mayor, and City Attorney shall be established according to the Council’s User Fee Policy. The fee schedule shall be filed in the Ratebook of City Fees and Charges in the Office of the City Clerk. The nominating fee is non-refundable and shall be paid when nomination papers are submitted for filing. (Amended 7-18-2000 by O-18826 N.S.) (Amended 1-30-2020 by O-21173 N.S.; effective 2-29-2020.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0321 to Section 27.0317 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Signatures Used to Offset Nominating Fee for Write-In Candidates

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0318

§27.0318 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Division, a write-in candidate may submit signatures of registered voters above the number required by section 27.0309 to fully or partially offset the nominating fee. (b) If signatures of registered voters above the number required under section 27.0309 are to be used for the purpose of a full or partial refund of the nominating fee, the write-in candidate shall notify the City Clerk at the time of submitting nomination papers for filing under section 27.0312. (c) Signatures submitted for the purpose of a full or partial refund of the nominating fee shall be executed by voters on the nominating petition for a write-in candidate, and are subject to the provisions of sections 27.0308 and 27.0309. (d) No signature used to determine the sufficiency of the nominating petition for a write-in candidate may be used for the purpose of a full or partial refund of the nominating fee. (e) Every three valid signatures in excess of the number required by section 27.0309 that are obtained and submitted for filing on the nominating petition for a write-in candidate for the purpose of a full or partial refund of the nominating fee shall be valued at one dollar toward reduction of the nominating fee. (f) The write-in candidate shall be refunded at the rate prescribed in section 27.0318 up to the deposited amount of the nominating fee. (“Signatures Used to Offset Nominating Fee for Write-In Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 1-30-2020 by O-21173 N.S.; effective 2-29-2020.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0322 to Section 27.0318 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Inclusion of Write-In Candidate’s Name on Ballot and in Sample Ballot for

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0319 District or Citywide General Election

§27.0319 District or Citywide General Election (a) No person whose name has been written in upon a ballot for an elective office at a Citywide Primary Election, District Primary Election, or primary special election, may have their name placed upon the ballot as a candidate for that elective office in the subsequent Citywide General Election, District General Election, or run-off special election, unless they are chosen by the electors as one of the two candidates to have their name appear on the ballot for that subsequent election. (b) If a write-in candidate is eligible to appear on the ballot for a Citywide General Election, District General Election, or a run-off special election, the procedures contained in Division 6 regarding designation of the candidate’s title, inclusion of the candidate’s name on the ballot and sample ballot, and the statement of the candidate’s qualifications and photograph will be followed. The City Clerk shall set a deadline date for the write-in candidate to submit those documents for filing. (“Inclusion of Write-In Candidate’s Name on Ballot and in Sample Ballot for District or City-Wide General Election” renumbered from Sec. 27.3210 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Amended 9-6-2005 by O-19407 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0323 to Section 27.0319, retitled from “Inclusion of Write-In Candidate’s Name on Ballot and in Sample Ballot for District or City-Wide General Election” to “Inclusion of Write-In Candidate’s Name on Ballot and in Sample Ballot for District or Citywide General Election” and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0320 Additional Provisions for Write-In Candidates

§27.0320 Additional Provisions for Write-In Candidates Other requirements of this Article not in conflict with the provisions of this Division shall apply to write-in candidates. (“Additional Provisions for Write-In Candidates” renumbered from Sec. 27.3211 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18666 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0324 to Section 27.0320 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter02/Ch02Art07Division03.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026