Signatures-in-Lieu of Filing Fee Period Opens for Potential Candidates in the June 2, 2026 Primary Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2025

Contact:
Olivia Hale, Registrar of Voters
registrar@sjgov.org / (209) 468-8683

Stockton, CA – The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Office announced that the signatures-in-lieu of filing fee period will begin on December 19, 2025, for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election.

Candidates may submit a signatures-in-lieu petition (also called a petition-in-lieu) instead of paying the filing fee required to run for certain offices. These petitions may be used to cover all or any prorated portion of the applicable filing fee.

Signatures-in-lieu petitions may be obtained from the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters' Office. Only valid signatures from registered voters within the jurisdiction of the office sought will be applied toward reducing the filing fee. The number of signatures required varies by office and will be verified by the Candidate Services Division. If the required number of signatures is not met, the remaining portion of the filing fee must be paid in full before nomination documents can be issued.

Offices Eligible for Signatures-in-Lieu Petitions

Voter-Nominated Offices
United States Representative in Congress: Districts 5, 7, 8, 9, and 13
Member of the State Assembly: Districts 9 and 13

Nonpartisan Offices
Judge of the Superior Court: Offices 1–9
San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors: Districts 2 and 4
Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
Auditor-Controller
Treasurer-Tax Collector
County Superintendent of Schools

Information regarding offices is subject to change without notice. Updates will be provided closer to the nomination period.

The last day to submit signatures-in-lieu petitions to the Registrar of Voters Office is February 4, 2026. The nomination period which candidates may obtain and file nomination documents, opens February 9, 2026, and closes March 6, 2026.

For questions or assistance, candidates are encouraged to call or schedule an appointment with staff. The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Candidate Services Division can be reached at (209) 468-8945, candidates@sjgov.org, or by visiting https://www.sjcrov.org.