Candidates Needed: Aug 7 Deadline to Run for Local Office in California

If you are upset about the state of California or the community you live in, now is the time to do something about it! With the November 2026 election approaching quickly, besides voting for change, you can run for office or recruit someone to run — and help be the change you want to see.

Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California, says candidates are desperately needed in many local races.

“One of the best ways to fix this state and tackle rising costs, rising crime, and our failing schools is for you to step up and run for office or recruit someone else to run — the process is easy and you can very likely win,” said DeMaio.

July and August is the period that candidates file for several offices being filled in the November election — and DeMaio says many seats are often left unchallenged by conservatives, allowing far-Left extremists to win races unopposed.

“Nobody bothers to run against the idiots that are currently in office — and a lot of these offices are winnable by people with common sense,” said DeMaio.

“We have to challenge each and every seat in order to win and restore sanity in our state, starting from the local level on up, and if you have integrity, if you can balance a checkbook — you are more qualified than most people currently in office,” DeMaio assured.

DeMaio understands that you may be nervous about losing because of various reasons, such as not having enough time or funding to actively campaign.

“In many cases, just putting your name on the ballot is enough to make you win — because local races don’t have a party label, other people forget to file, or it's a year where voters decide to vote against incumbents,” explained DeMaio.

Plus, DeMaio says Reform California’s annual voter guide, which is one of the most popular and used voter guides in the state, would help lift up all reform-minded candidates on the ballot that connect with Reform California and let them know they are running.

DeMaio laid out the process for running for office:

1. Visit Your Registrar of Voters: Go to your local registrar of voters website. You can find it here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices
2. Check Timeline of Filing: Find the section for candidates on the registrar of voters website and check the timeline of events to see when filing opens and closes.
3. Check Qualifications: Make sure you’re qualified to run for an office by checking the qualifications of that office. In most cases, you just have to be 18 and live in the district.
4. Check You’re In the District: Some registrar of voters websites will have a map or lookup system where you can see which districts you live in, but you can also call your registrar of voters to ask.
5. Check with Your City Clerk: You can also check with your City Clerk for help with filing for local elections
6. Connect with Supporting Groups: Connect with Reform California to help with problems that come up as you’re filing, and check with your local Republican Party.

DeMaio says that if you need further help or would like an endorsement to contact his team using this form.

“Fixing this state requires us all to get involved and to stay and fight — that’s why I’m running for office instead of moving away, and I need you to get involved too so we can make this state an affordable and safe place to live again,” said DeMaio.

Besides running or recruiting for office, DeMaio says the public can support reform in November by contributing to recruitment and voter guide efforts. DeMaio and Reform California’s “Plain English” voter guide, which recommends candidates up and down the ballot, will be available in October.