Nomination period opened Nov. 13 for candidates joining race for California Primary Election on March 5, 2024
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Next year brings a presidential election, and San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elena Cano is looking forward to and preparing for the additional public engagement that naturally comes with such an election.
The nomination period opened on Monday, Nov. 13, for candidates looking to join the race for the California Primary Election on March 5, 2024. The nomination period closes Dec. 8, allowing individuals interested in running for Congress, the State Legislature, County Board of Supervisors, and local partisan offices to file their candidacy.
Leading up to the new election cycle, Cano emphasizes the importance of transparency and accessibility, inviting the public to visit the Clerk-Recorder’s Office and observe during the counting process.
“It’s definitely important to me that people know that what we do to conduct an election is on behalf of them,” Cano said. “It’s their votes. It’s accessible, it’s transparent … they can come and watch.”
Up for election and directly affecting SLO County are the following:
- District 1 Board of Supervisor
- District 3 Board of Supervisor
- District 5 Board of Supervisor
- Superior Court: Offices 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13
Federal Voter Nominated Offices:
- President/Vice President
- United States Senator (2)
- Representative in Congress 19th District
- Representative in Congress 24th District
State Voter Nominated Offices:
- State Senator 17th District
- State Senator 21st District
- Member of the Assembly 30th District
- Member of the Assembly 37th District
The deadline could be extended by a week if the incumbent decides not to seek re-election. Anyone interested in running for office can make an appointment at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office to ensure the correct paperwork is filed.
The 2020 election brought more interest in the elections — federally and locally.
Cano made it clear that she and her team ignore the polarized buzz that accelerates during election seasons.
“All of that stuff that’s happening outside of these walls is happening outside of these walls. I don’t let it affect how we are conducting it here,” she said. “Everyone has their own right to believe what they want to believe and have their own voice, but the election itself, the conduct of the election, that process hasn’t changed.”
During past SLO County Board of Supervisors meetings, the public has issued concerns regarding various forms of voter fraud. Many of these concerns surrounded the Central Count machines — a high-speed ballot scanner or several precinct scanners to tabulate Election Day ballots at a central location. Cano stated that with the machine not connected to the internet, it cannot be tampered with for fraudulent purposes.
Throughout this next election cycle, Cano invites the public to the Clerk-Recorder’s Office to observe the counting process and reach out with any questions.
“My hope is that the more people know that and that I am not hiding anything, you can come,” she said.
You can find more information on the March 5, 2024, Primary Election here slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Clerk-Recorder/All-Services/Elections-and-Voting/Elections-Conducted-by-County-of-San-Luis-Obispo/March-5,-2024,-Presidential-Primary-Election.aspx
