Attorney General
Unique Requirement: The Attorney General is the ONLY California statewide office with a professional credential requirement.
Professional Bar Admission Requirement
UNIQUE TO THIS OFFICE
- Must be admitted to practice before the California Supreme Court for a period of at least five (5) years immediately preceding election
- This credential must be current and active at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: Gov. Code § 12503
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office of Attorney General
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, § 11
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting or receiving any contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more in contributions
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy (§ 13107.3)
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$4,272.34 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.71 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Governor
Unique Requirement: The Governor is the ONLY California office requiring tax return disclosure.
U.S. Citizenship
REQUIRED
- Must be a United States citizen
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, §§ 2, 9
Tax Return Disclosure Requirement
UNIQUE TO THIS OFFICE
- Must file TWO (2) copies of every income tax return filed with the IRS in the five (5) most recent taxable years:
- Copy 1: Unredacted (complete return)
- Copy 2: Redacted per Elections Code § 8903
- Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM
- If 2025 returns not yet filed with IRS: Submit within 5 days of IRS filing
- Secretary of State will review redactions; corrections due March 16, 2026
- Redacted versions posted publicly on SOS website
Legal Citation: §§ 8902, 8903
What to Redact (MUST):
- Social security numbers
- Home address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Medical information
- Bank account numbers and routing numbers
- IRS personnel identification number (PIN)
What May Be Redacted (OPTIONAL):
- Names of dependent minors
- Employer identification number
- Business address
- Preparer/accountant information
California Residency (UNENFORCEABLE)
- California Constitution requires 5 years residency
- However: Secretary of State's legal opinion states this violates the U.S. Constitution and is UNENFORCEABLE
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, § 2 (unenforceable)
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2012
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office of Governor
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, §§ 2, 11
Required Documents
1
Five Years of IRS Tax Returns
Two copies each (unredacted + redacted) - Due March 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM
2
Income Tax Return Disclosure Consent Form
Grants SOS permission to publicly release redacted versions
3
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
4
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
5
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
6
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
7
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
8
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
9
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$4,918.58 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.82 each)
Critical Deadlines:
• March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Tax returns and nomination documents due
• March 16, 2026 (E-78) by 5:00 PM - Corrected tax return redactions due (if deficient)
Lieutenant Governor
U.S. Citizenship
REQUIRED
- Must be a United States citizen
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, §§ 2, 9
California Residency (UNENFORCEABLE)
- California Constitution requires 5 years residency
- However: Secretary of State's legal opinion states this violates the U.S. Constitution and is UNENFORCEABLE
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, § 2 (unenforceable)
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2012
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office of Lieutenant Governor
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, §§ 2, 11
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$3,688.94 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.61 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Secretary of State
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office of Secretary of State
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, § 11
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$3,688.94 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.61 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Controller
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office of Controller
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, § 11
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$3,934.86 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.66 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Treasurer
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office of Treasurer
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. V, § 11
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$3,934.86 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.66 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Insurance Commissioner
Unique Requirement: Industry conflict restrictions apply during tenure of office.
Industry Conflict Restrictions
UNIQUE TO THIS OFFICE
- During tenure of office, cannot be:
- Officer, agent, or employee of an insurer
- Directly or indirectly interested in any insurer or licensee under CA Insurance Code
- Exceptions:
- As a policyholder
- By virtue of relationship by blood or marriage to person interested in insurer/licensee
Legal Citation: Ins. Code § 12901
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) four-year terms in the office of Insurance Commissioner
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Ins. Code § 12900(a)
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$3,934.86 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.66 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Unique Office: This is a NONPARTISAN office with special election rules.
Nonpartisan Office
UNIQUE FEATURES
- NO party preference shown on ballot
- Candidates do NOT provide 10-year party preference history (unlike all other state offices)
- Write-in candidates allowed in BOTH primary AND general elections
- If ANY candidate receives majority in primary, they are elected immediately - office does not appear on general ballot
- Top 2 advance to general only if no majority in primary
Legal Citation: Art. IX, § 2; §§ 8140, 8141, 8600(c), 13212
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
Legal Citation: Art. IX, § 2
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
65-100 signatures from registered California voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$4,272.34 OR 6,000 valid signatures (value: $0.71 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Board of Equalization
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2011
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
- Cannot have served two (2) terms in the office
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: January 4, 2027
- 4 districts up for election in 2026
Legal Citation: Art. XIII, § 17
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
40-60 signatures from registered district voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$1,844.47 OR 4,743 valid signatures (value: $0.39 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
State Assembly
U.S. Citizenship
REQUIRED
- Must be a United States citizen
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. IV, § 2(c)
California Residency (UNENFORCEABLE)
- California Constitution requires 3 years state residency + 1 year district residency
- However: Secretary of State's legal opinion states this violates the U.S. Constitution and is UNENFORCEABLE
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. IV, § 2(c) (unenforceable)
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2012
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
COMPLEX STRUCTURE
- For members first elected AFTER June 2012:
- 12 years total in Legislature (Senate, Assembly, or combination)
- For members elected BEFORE June 2012:
- Maximum 3 Assembly terms (since November 6, 1990)
- Term length: Two (2) years
- Next term begins: December 7, 2026 (28 days before other state offices)
- 80 districts up for election in 2026
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. IV, § 2(a)(4); Cal. Const., art. IV, §§ 2(a)(1), (3)
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
40-60 signatures from registered district voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$1,346.94 OR 857 valid signatures (value: $1.57 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Term Start Date: December 7, 2026 (earlier than other state offices)
State Senate
U.S. Citizenship
REQUIRED
- Must be a United States citizen
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. IV, § 2(c)
California Residency (UNENFORCEABLE)
- California Constitution requires 3 years state residency + 1 year district residency
- However: Secretary of State's legal opinion states this violates the U.S. Constitution and is UNENFORCEABLE
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. IV, § 2(c) (unenforceable)
Registered Voter Requirement
- Must be a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for the office at the time nomination papers are issued
Legal Citation: § 2012
Felony Disqualifications
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving:
- Accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe
- Embezzlement of public money
- Extortion or theft of public money
- Perjury
- Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes
Legal Citation: § 20
Term Limits
COMPLEX STRUCTURE
- For members first elected AFTER June 2012:
- 12 years total in Legislature (Senate, Assembly, or combination)
- For members elected BEFORE June 2012:
- Maximum 2 Senate terms (since November 6, 1990)
- Term length: Four (4) years
- Next term begins: December 7, 2026 (28 days before other state offices)
- 20 even-numbered districts up for election in 2026
Legal Citation: Cal. Const., art. IV, § 2(a)(4); Cal. Const., art. IV, §§ 2(a)(1), (3)
Required Documents
1
Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501)
File with Secretary of State's Political Reform Division BEFORE soliciting contributions
2
Statement of Organization (Form 410)
Required within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more
3
Statement of Economic Interests
File electronically with FPPC between February 9 - March 6, 2026
4
Nomination Papers
40-60 signatures from registered district voters
5
Declaration of Candidacy
Executed and filed with county elections official
6
Ballot Designation Worksheet
Filed with Declaration of Candidacy
7
Filing Fee or In-Lieu Signatures
$1,346.94 OR 1,714 valid signatures (value: $0.79 each)
Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 (E-88) by 5:00 PM - Nomination filing period ends
Term Start Date: December 7, 2026 (earlier than other state offices)
Important Legal Notice
This information sheet of candidate qualifications and procedures is for general information only and does not have the force and effect of law, regulation, or rule. In case of conflict, the law, regulation, or rule will apply. The candidate should obtain the most up-to-date information available because of possible changes in law.
Source: California Secretary of State Elections Division
Document Revision: August 2025
For official guidance, contact: www.sos.ca.gov