2026 will be a busy year at the polls, with elections for governor and other major state offices, for Congress, and for many top county positions. Up first–the June 2nd Primary and Lake County Registrar of Voters office is out with important information for potential candidates. The registrar’s office says candidates may submit “In-Lieu-of-Filing Fee Petitions”, containing signatures of registered voters in the jurisdiction in which he/she seeks nomination, to offset all or part of the cost of his/her filing fee. The In-Lieu-of-Filing petitions are available starting Friday, until February 4, 2026, during regular office hours. In addition, all candidates for elective office must also file their paperwork and petitions and pay any fees on February 9 through March 6, to get on the June ballot. There are different filing rules for judicial candidates. The list of open offices and the filing rules are available on the registrar of voters’ website or in person at the office on Forbes Street in Lakeport.
