Ballots for Candidates

San Diego Municipal Code ch. 2, art. 7, div. 6

in effect

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0601 Purpose and Intent

§27.0601 Purpose and Intent The purpose and intent of this Division is to provide guidance to candidates, including write-in candidates, for elective office, to provide uniform procedures to better ensure a fair and impartial administration of these requirements, and so that informed voters may intelligently elect officeholders. (“Purpose and Intent” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0602 Candidate and Write-in Candidate Change of Name

§27.0602 Candidate and Write-in Candidate Change of Name If a candidate or write-in candidate changes their name within one year of any election, the new name shall not appear upon the ballot unless the change was made by either of the following: (a) marriage; or (b) decree of any court of competent jurisdiction. (“Candidate and Write-in Candidate Change of Name” added 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0603 Use of Title or Degree Prohibited

§27.0603 Use of Title or Degree Prohibited A candidate’s title or degree shall not appear on the same line on the ballot as a candidate’s name, either before or after the candidate’s name for any elective office. (“Use of Title or Degree Prohibited” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0602 to Section 27.0603 on 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Submission of Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0604

§27.0604 (a) For the City Clerk to accept a designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation submitted under section 27.0605, it must accurately state the candidate’s principal profession, vocation, or occupation. Each proposed principal profession, vocation, or occupation submitted by a candidate must be factually accurate, descriptive of the candidate’s principal profession, vocation, or occupation, must not be confusing or misleading, and must fully and completely comply with section 27.0605 and the guidelines included in the City Clerk’s Administrative Guidelines. (b) The City Clerk may request a candidate submit supporting documentation or other evidence to support the candidate’s proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation. (1) If a candidate fails to submit the requested supporting materials by the deadline established by the City Clerk, those late materials will not be considered in the final decision on the candidate’s proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation. (2) The candidate will identify the electronic mail (e-mail) address and telephone number at which the City Clerk may contact them on the designated form provided in the nomination packet. (3) The candidate shall have the burden of establishing that the proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation they submitted is accurate and complies with this Division. (“Administrative Guidelines for the Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation or Occupation” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from former Section 27.0604, retitled from “Administrative Guidelines for the Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation or Occupation” to “Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation and Statement of Candidate’s Qualifications Subject to City Clerk’s Administrative Guidelines” and amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0603 to Section 27.0604, retitled from “Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation and Statement of Candidate’s Qualifications Subject to City Clerk’s Administrative Guidelines” to “Submission of Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation” and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0605

§27.0605 (a) The candidate’s designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation constitutes ballot materials within the meaning of section 27.0103. (b) If a candidate desires their principal profession, vocation, or occupation to be printed on the ballot, the candidate shall file with the City Clerk a statement indicating their designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation. Except as provided in section 27.0605(d)(2), the designation shall not be more than four words. Such statement shall be filed on a form provided by the City Clerk and shall contain a declaration by the candidate, signed under California perjury laws, of the truth thereof. The statement shall be filed at the same time as the nomination papers. The following shall apply to the application of the four-word limitation: (1) the proposed ballot designation shall be grammatically correct, not contain registered trademarks, and all words must be spelled correctly; (2) punctuation shall be limited to the use of a comma (e.g., Mayor, City of San Diego) or a slash (e.g., Legislator/Plumber/Physician), pursuant to subdivision (i) of this section. A hyphen only may be used if the use of a hyphen is called for in the spelling of a word as it appears in a standard reference dictionary of the English language, which was published in the United States at any time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for which the words are counted; and (3) an acronym shall be counted as one word. (c) If a candidate is engaged in a profession, vocation, or occupation at the time the candidate files their nomination papers, the candidate’s proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation shall consist of the candidate’s current principal profession, vocation, or occupation. If a candidate does not have a current principal profession, vocation, or occupation when they file their nomination papers, the candidate may use a designation consisting of their principal profession, vocation, or occupation which the candidate was principally engaged in during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of the candidate’s nomination papers. The designation may be only one of the following: (d) (1) the candidate may designate their principal profession, vocation, or occupation during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of nomination papers; (2) the candidate may use words designating the same city, county, district, state, or federal office the candidate holds at the time of filing nomination papers, if the candidate has been elected to that public office, or elected or appointed to that judgeship. Proposed designations of principal profession, vocation, or occupation indicating a leadership position such as “Council President” or “Deputy Mayor” or that the candidate is a member or officer of the state or county central committee of a political party, are not elective offices under section 27.0605(d)(2); (3) the candidate may use the word “Incumbent” if the candidate is a candidate for the same office which they hold at the time of filing the nomination papers, and was elected to that office. (A) A proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation submitted under section 27.0605(d)(3) is limited to the word “incumbent.” The term “incumbent” must be used as a noun. It shall (B) not be used in conjunction with any other words, including any accompanying adjectives or modifiers; or (4) the candidate may use the phrase “Appointed Incumbent,” “Appointed Mayor,” or “Appointed City Attorney” if the candidate has been appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Mayor or City Attorney, and is seeking to be elected to that elective office at the next election. The candidate may not use the unmodified word “incumbent” or any words designating the office unmodified by the word “appointed.” (e) If a candidate is licensed by the State of California to engage in a profession, vocation, or occupation, the candidate may use it as their principal profession, vocation, or occupation if: (1) the candidate has maintained their license current as of the date they filed their nomination papers by complying with all applicable requirements of the respective licensure, including the payment of all applicable license fees; and (2) the status of the candidate's license is active at the time they filed their nomination papers. (f) A candidate who holds a professional, vocational, or occupational license issued by the State of California may not use such profession, vocation, or occupation as one of their principal professions, vocations, or occupations if: (1) the candidate’s license is inactive at the time the candidate files their nomination papers; or (2) the candidate’s license has been suspended or revoked by the agency issuing the license at the time the candidate files their nomination papers. (g) A designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation of “Community Volunteer” shall constitute a valid principal vocation or occupation for purposes of section 27.0605(g) if it does not otherwise violate any other provisions in this Division. (1) In this Division, “Community Volunteer” means a person who engages in an activity or performs a service for or on behalf of one or more of the following, without profiting monetarily: (A) a charitable, educational, or religious organization as defined by the United States Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); (B) a governmental agency; or (C) an educational institution. (2) The activity or service must constitute substantial involvement of the candidate’s time and effort such that the activity or service is the sole, primary, main, or leading professional, vocational, or occupational endeavor of the candidate. (3) When a candidate uses the designation of “Community Volunteer,” it shall be the only designation that appears next to a candidate’s name. (h) Subject to the provisions of sections 27.0605(c) and 27.0607(f), use of the word “retired” in a designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation is limited to use by individuals who have permanently given up their chosen principal profession, vocation, or occupation. The following apply to the use of “retired” in a designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation: (1) before retiring from their principal profession, vocation, or occupation, the candidate worked in that profession, vocation, or occupation for more than five years; (2) the candidate is collecting or eligible to collect retirement benefits or other type of vested pension related to their principal profession, vocation, or occupation; (3) the candidate has reached at least the age of 55 years; (4) the candidate voluntarily left their last professional, vocational, or occupational position; (5) if the candidate is requesting a designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation indicating that they are a retired public official, the candidate must have previously voluntarily retired from public office, not have been involuntarily removed from office, not have been recalled by voters, and not have surrendered the office to seek another office or failed to win reelection to the office. If such a candidate did not voluntarily retire from public office or they termed out of their position, they shall not use the word “retired” in their designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation; (6) the candidate has not had another more recent, intervening principal profession, vocation, or occupation; and (7) the candidate’s retirement benefits provide them with a main source of income. (i) A candidate engaged in multiple principal professions, vocations, or occupations may designate multiple principal professions, vocations, or occupations. If a candidate proposes a designation that includes multiple principal professions, vocations, or occupations, the proposed designation must comply with the following: (1) the proposed ballot designation is limited to four words as set forth in section 27.0605(b); (2) the City Clerk must consider each proposed profession, vocation, or occupation separately and each proposed profession, vocation, or occupation must independently qualify as a principal profession, vocation, or occupation; and (3) when multiple professions, vocations, or occupations are proposed as a designation, they shall be separated by a slash (“/”). The slash shall be used to separate different professions, vocations, or occupations, not to modify or further explain a profession, vocation, or occupation. (Renumbered from Sec. 27.2201, retitled to “Designation of Principal Profession or Occupation” and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from former Section 27.0603, retitled from “Designation of Principal Profession or Occupation” to “Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation” and amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0604 to Section 27.0605 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0606 Word Usage in Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation

§27.0606 Word Usage in Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation The designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation shall not contain words such that any of the following would be true: (a) The designation would mislead the voter. (b) The designation would suggest an evaluation of a candidate, such as “outstanding,” “leading,” “expert,” “virtuous,” or “eminent.” The designation abbreviates the word “retired,” or places the word “retired” (c) following any word or words which it modifies. The designation uses a word or prefix, such as “former” or “ex-,” which (d) means a prior status. The designation uses the name of any political party. (e) (f) The designation uses a word or words referring to a racial, religious, or ethnic group. (g) The designation refers to any activity prohibited by law. (“Word Usage in Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation or Occupation” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Renumbered from Section 26.0605 to Section 26.0606 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0607 Unacceptable Designations of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation

§27.0607 Unacceptable Designations of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation (a) The City Clerk shall reject as unacceptable any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation that fails to comply with or is inconsistent with section 27.0605, is prohibited by section 27.0606, is misleading, or is otherwise inconsistent with or fails to comply with this Article. (b) The following types of activities are distinguished from professions, vocations, and occupations and are not acceptable as designations of principal profession, vocation, or occupation under sections 27.0605 and 27.0607: (1) Avocation. An avocation is a casual or occasional activity, diversion, or hobby pursued principally for enjoyment and in addition to the candidate’s principal profession, vocation, or occupation. Avocations include hobbies, social activities, volunteer work, and matters pursued as an amateur. (2) Pro Forma Profession, Vocation, and Occupation. A pro forma profession, vocation, or occupation is a position held by the candidate which consumes little to none of the candidate’s time and which, by its nature, is voluntary or for which the candidate is not compensated. Pro forma professions, vocations, and occupations include honorary peace officer, volunteer firefighter, honorary chairperson, honorary professor, goodwill ambassador, and official host or hostess. Status. A status is a state, condition, social position, or legal (3) relation of the candidate to another person, persons, or the community as a whole. A status is generic in nature and generally fails to identify with any particular specificity the manner by which the candidate earns their livelihood or spends the substantial majority of their time. Statuses include veteran, proponent, reformer, scholar, founder, philosopher, philanthropist, activist, patriot, taxpayer, concerned citizen, husband, and wife. (c) Under section 27.0607, the City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation which would mislead voters. In making this determination, the City Clerk shall determine whether there is a substantial likelihood that the candidate’s proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation would mislead a reasonably prudent voter as to the candidate’s principal profession, vocation, or occupation. The City Clerk shall consider the plain meaning of the words in the proposed designation and the factual accuracy of the proposed designation based on supporting documents or other evidence submitted by the candidate in support of the proposed designation, upon request of the City Clerk. (d) A designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation may not include commercial identification information, such as a trademark, service mark, trade name, or the specific name of a business, partnership, corporation, company, foundation, or organization. Examples of an improper use of commercial identification information include “Acme Company President,” “Universal Widgets Inventor,” “Director, Smith Foundation,” and “UCLA Professor.” (e) The City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation that would suggest an evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications, honesty, integrity, leadership abilities, or character. Such impermissible adjectives include “senior,” “emeritus,” “specialist,” “magnate,” “outstanding,” “leading,” “expert,” “virtuous,” “eminent,” “best,” “exalted,” “prominent,” “famous,” “respected,” “honored,” “honest,” “dishonest,” “corrupt,” and “lazy.” (f) The City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation which abbreviates the word “retired” or uses it after any word or words which it modifies. Examples of impermissible designations include “Ret. Businesswoman,” “Firefighter, Retired,” or “City Attorney, Retired.” (g) The City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation which uses a word or prefix to indicate a prior profession, vocation, occupation, or elected or appointed or judicial office previously held by the candidate. Such impermissible words or prefixes include “ex-,” “former,” “past,” and “erstwhile.” Examples of impermissible designations include “Former Councilmember,” “Ex-Mayor,” and “Former Educator.” (h) The City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation which uses the name of any political party. (i) The City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation which uses a word or words referring to a racial, religious, or ethnic group. (1) The City Clerk shall reject any designation which implies or expressly contains any ethnic or racial slurs or ethnically or racially derogatory language. (2) If the candidate is a member of the clergy, the candidate may not refer to their specific denomination. However, the candidate may use their clerical title as a designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation such as “Rabbi,” “Pastor,” “Minister,” “Priest,” “Bishop,” “Deacon,” “Monk,” “Nun,” and “Imam.” (j) The City Clerk shall reject any proposed designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation which refers to any activity prohibited by law. Unlawful activity includes any activities, conduct, professions, vocations, or occupations prohibited by state or federal law. (“Unacceptable Designations of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation” added 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Notification to Candidate if Designation Violates Restrictions

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0608

§27.0608 The City Clerk has no duty to verify the designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation. If, however, after reviewing the nomination papers, the City Clerk finds the designation violates any of the restrictions set forth in this Division, the City Clerk shall notify the candidate using the contact information provided by the candidate on the designation form. (a) The candidate shall, within three business days from the date of such notice, provide additional information to support the designation, if requested by the City Clerk, or provide an alternate designation to the City Clerk. (b) If the candidate fails to timely provide the additional information or an alternate designation, no designation shall appear after the candidate’s name on the ballot. (“Notification to Candidate if Designation Violates Restrictions” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0606 to Section 27.0608 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Changing Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation, or Occupation

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0609

§27.0609 A candidate may not change their designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation after the final date for filing nomination papers, except as specifically requested by the City Clerk as specified in section 27.0608 or as provided for in section 27.0610. (“Changing Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation or Occupation” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0607 to Section 27.0609 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Designation to Remain the Same

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0610

§27.0610 (a) The designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation, shall remain the same for all purposes of the District Primary Election or Citywide Primary Election and District General Election or Citywide General Election, unless the candidate, at least 100 calendar days before the District General Election or Citywide General Election, requests in writing a different designation which the candidate is entitled to use at the time of the request. (b) In the case of a special election called to fill a vacated elective office, the designation of principal profession, vocation, or occupation shall remain the same for all purposes of the special election and the run-off special election, unless the candidate, by a deadline established by the City Clerk, requests in writing a different designation which the candidate is entitled to use at the time of the request. (Retitled from “Designation to Remain the Same for Primary and General Election” and amended 9-10-2001 by O-18979 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0608 to Section 27.0610 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0611 Statement of Candidates’ Qualifications

§27.0611 Statement of Candidates’ Qualifications (a) The candidate’s statement of qualifications constitutes ballot materials within the meaning of section 27.0103. (b) Candidates for elective office may prepare a statement of qualifications on a form provided by the City Clerk. Such statement may include the name and profession, vocation, or occupation of the candidate and a brief description of the candidate’s qualifications expressed by the candidate and limited to matters concerning only the candidate. (c) The statement may include quotations. A quotation from an individual included in the statement must be authorized in writing by the quoted individual. A quotation from an organization included in the statement must be authorized in writing by the quoted organization. An officer or other duly authorized representative of the organization shall sign the authorization. If a quotation is from a publication, a copy of the publication may be provided instead of an authorization. Such authorization must be filed at the same time as the statement of qualifications, or the quotation will not be permitted in the statement. (d) The statement may include the names of family members. The name of any other individual included in the statement must be authorized in writing by the individual. (e) The name of an organization, included in the statement as an endorsement, must be authorized in writing by the organization. An officer or other duly authorized representative of the organization shall sign the authorization. Such authorization must be filed at the same time as the statement of qualifications, or the name will not be permitted in the statement. An organizational reference used as part of the candidate’s biographical information is permitted without authorization from the organization. (f) The statement shall not exceed 200 words and shall be subject to the City Clerk’s Administrative Guidelines. (g) The statement shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk at the following times: (1) when nomination papers are returned for filing by candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for a District Primary Election or Citywide Primary Election; (2) one hundred calendar days before the District General Election or Citywide General Election for candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for a District General Election or Citywide General Election; or (3) by the deadline established by the City Clerk in the case of a special election called to fill the vacated elective office. The candidate may request in writing to keep the same statement for a run-off special election by the deadline date established by the City Clerk. (Amended 9-10-2001 by O-18979 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0620 to Section 27.0611 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Certain Content Prohibited in Statement of Qualifications

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0612

§27.0612 (a) The statement of qualifications shall not refer, either directly by name or indirectly by title or description, to any other candidate or officeholder or to any other candidate’s or officeholder’s qualifications, character, or activities, unless such reference is authorized under section 27.0611(d). (b) The statement of qualifications shall not refer, either directly by name or indirectly by title or description, to any City employee or to a City employee’s character or activities unless such reference is authorized under section 27.0611(d). (c) The statement of qualifications shall not include the party affiliation of the candidate or membership or activity in partisan political organizations. (d) The statement of qualifications shall not contain language which is prohibited by law to be sent through the mail. (e) The statement of qualifications shall not contain matter that is unrelated to the candidate. (f) The statement of qualifications shall not contain obscene, vulgar, or profane language. (Amended 9-10-2001 by O-18979 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0621 to Section 27.0612 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Notification to Candidate if Statement of Qualifications Violates Restrictions

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0613

§27.0613 (a) The City Clerk has no duty to verify the statement of qualifications. If, however, after reviewing the nomination papers, the City Clerk finds a portion of the statement of qualifications violates any of the restrictions set forth in section 27.0611 or section 27.0612, the City Clerk shall notify the candidate. (b) The candidate may, within three business days from the date of such notice, provide an alternate statement to the City Clerk. (c) If the candidate fails to timely provide alternate language, the statement of qualifications shall appear in the voter pamphlet as amended by the City Clerk to delete those portions of the statement that are in violation. (“Notification to Candidate if Statement of Qualifications Violates Restrictions” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0622 to Section 27.0613 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0614 Statement of Qualifications May be Withdrawn

§27.0614 Statement of Qualifications May be Withdrawn (a) A candidate may withdraw but not change the statement of qualifications during the period for filing the nomination papers and until 5 p.m. of the next business day after the close of the nomination period or during other prescribed filing periods and until 5 p.m. of the next business day after the close of such period. (b) Statements received by the City Clerk shall be kept confidential until the expiration of the filing period. (“Statement of Qualifications May be Withdrawn” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0623 to Section 27.0614 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0615 Candidate’s Photograph

§27.0615 Candidate’s Photograph (a) If the candidate desires to have their photograph appear with the statement of qualifications, the candidate shall electronically submit a photograph as specified in the City Clerk’s Administrative Guidelines. Only the head and shoulders portion of the photograph shall be reproduced on the statement; other images appearing in the photograph submitted shall be excluded by cropping. All photographs in the voter pamphlet containing candidates’ statements of qualifications shall be as nearly uniform in size as possible, except for size reductions necessitated by a candidate’s format for their statement of qualifications. (b) The photograph shall remain the same for all purposes of the District Primary Election or Citywide Primary Election and District General Election or Citywide General Election, unless the candidate, at least 100 calendar days before the District General Election or Citywide General Election, requests in writing to use a different photograph which the candidate provides and is entitled to use at the time of the request. (c) The photograph shall remain the same for all purposes of a special election unless the candidate, by the deadline date established by the City Clerk, requests in writing to use a different photograph which the candidate provides and is entitled to use at the time of the request. (Amended 7-18-2000 by O-18826 N.S.) (Amended 11-20-2017 by O-20876 N.S.; effective 12-20-2017.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0624 to Section 27.0615 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0616 Liability for False Statement of Qualifications

§27.0616 Liability for False Statement of Qualifications Nothing contained in this Division shall be deemed to make any statement of qualifications or the authors thereof free or exempt from any civil or criminal action or penalty because of any false, slanderous, or libelous statements offered for printing or contained in the voter pamphlet. (“Liability for False Statement of Qualifications” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0626 to Section 27.0616 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0617 Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications to Be Provided at No Cost

§27.0617 Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications to Be Provided at No Cost The statement of candidate’s qualifications and photograph shall be provided by the City at no cost to candidates for City elective offices whose names shall appear on the ballot of the District Primary Election, Citywide Primary Election, the District General Election, Citywide General Election, special election, or run-off special election. (“Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications to Be Provided at No Cost” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0627 to 27.0617 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0618 No Statement of Qualifications for Write-In Candidates

§27.0618 No Statement of Qualifications for Write-In Candidates No statement of qualifications for write-in candidates shall be included in the voter pamphlet. (“No Statement of Qualifications for Write-In Candidates” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0628 to Section 27.0618 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.) Listing of Candidates on Ballots

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0619

§27.0619 Names of candidates as they shall be listed on ballots shall be determined in the following manner: (a) At the Citywide Primary Election and the Citywide General Election of the Mayor or City Attorney, or at any citywide special election, the order of the names of candidates shall be rotated by Council district so that the first name listed on the ballot in District 1 shall be second in District 2 and the name listed last in District 1 shall be listed first in District 2 and then be second in District 3 and so on through all the districts. The order of the names as they shall be listed in District 1 shall be determined by the City Clerk by lot. (b) At any District Primary Election, District General Election, or special election for Council elective office, or at any special election, the order of names of candidates as they shall appear on the ballot shall be determined by the City Clerk by lot. (“Listing of Candidates on Ballots” renumbered from Sec. 27.2204.1 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0634 to Section 27.0619 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0620 Death, Withdrawal, or Disqualification of Candidates between Primary and General Election

§27.0620 Death, Withdrawal, or Disqualification of Candidates between Primary and General Election If a candidate whose name would appear on the ballot for any District General Election, Citywide General Election, or special election dies, withdraws, or is disqualified, and if proof is presented to the City Clerk before the time the ballots for the District General Election, Citywide General Election, or special election are printed, the individual who received the next highest number of votes of those who were candidates or write-in candidates for such office in the District Primary Election, Citywide Primary Election, or special election, shall be deemed a candidate, and their name shall be printed on the ballot for use at the District General Election, Citywide General Election, or special election. (“Disqualification of Candidates between Primary and General Election” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Amended 6-27-2023 by O-21667 N.S.; effective 7-27-2023.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0635 to Section 27.0620, retitled from “Disqualification of Candidates between Primary and General Election” to “Death, Withdrawal, or Disqualification of Candidates between Primary and General Election” and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0621 Counting of Write-In Votes

§27.0621 Counting of Write-In Votes Write-in candidates are permitted only in District Primary Elections, Citywide Primary Elections, primary special elections, and recall elections. Any name written upon a ballot, including a reasonable facsimile of the spelling of such name, shall be counted for the elective office for which it was written, if it is written in the blank space provided therefor, unless prohibited by the provisions of section 27.0622. (“Counting of Write-In Votes” renumbered from Sec. 27.2205 and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Amended 9-6-2005 by O-19407 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0636 to Section 27.0621 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0622 Qualification for Write-In Candidacy Required

§27.0622 Qualification for Write-In Candidacy Required A write-in candidate’s name written upon a ballot in any election shall be counted only if a declaration of write-in candidacy, nomination papers, and filing fee or signatures in-lieu of the filing fee have been filed in the Office of the City Clerk during the filing period for write-in candidates. (Renumbered from Sec. 27.2205.1, retitled to “Qualification for Write-In Candidacy Required” and amended 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0637 to Section 27.0622 and amended 1-12-2026 by O-22028 N.S.; effective 2-11-2026.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 27.0623 Examination Period for Ballot Materials

§27.0623 Examination Period for Ballot Materials There shall be a public examination period for all ballot materials filed with the City Clerk for any candidate election pursuant to this Division. The examination period shall conform to the provisions of sections 27.0402 and 27.0403. (“Examination Period for Ballot Materials” added 7-26-1999 by O-18664 N.S.) (Renumbered from Section 27.0638 to Section 27.0623 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/Ch02Art07Division06.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026