Candidate Handbook

Before beginning your campaign, make sure you are eligible to stand for election. For Senate elections, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Constitution and the Elections Act.

Candidates should:

• Confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements.

• Ensure that they are in good financial standing with the State.

• Review the current election schedule.

• Familiarize themselves with applicable state laws.

• Contact the San Andreas Elections Agency if they are uncertain about their eligibility.

Do not begin representing yourself as an official candidate until your nomination has been submitted and accepted by the Agency.

The nomination period for a Senate election opens 14 days before voting begins. Candidates must submit the prescribed nomination form to the San Andreas Elections Agency.

The Agency will review nominations and determine whether candidates meet the applicable requirements. The official list of candidates will be published on the first day of voting.

Candidate Checklist

Before the nomination deadline:

☐ Confirm your eligibility

☐ Complete the required nomination form

☐ Submit your nomination to the Agency

☐ Respond to any requests for additional information

☐ Confirm that your name appears on the official candidate list

Missing the nomination deadline may prevent you from appearing on the ballot.

A campaign does not need to be complicated. Candidates should clearly explain:

• Who they are.

• Why they are running.

• What issues they intend to address.

• What they would do if elected.

• How voters can contact them.

Candidates may campaign through lawful public events, conversations with citizens, printed materials, digital communications, advertising, and other lawful activities. Campaign materials should clearly communicate who is responsible for the campaign.

Campaign activity does not exempt candidates or campaign workers from ordinary law. Candidates and their supporters must continue to comply with laws concerning:

• Public order and safety.

• Property and trespass.

• Theft and vandalism.

• Harassment and threats.

• Fraud and deception.

• Weapons and controlled substances.

• Use of copyrighted material.

• Other applicable criminal and civil laws.

Being a candidate does not provide immunity from the law.

Candidates are encouraged to speak directly with voters and participate in public events.

When campaigning in public spaces:

• Do not obstruct roads, sidewalks, entrances, or emergency access.

• Respect private property and posted restrictions.

• Follow lawful instructions from property owners and public authorities.

• Do not damage, remove, or alter another person's property.

• Keep campaign activities orderly and safe.

If a location requires permission or authorization for an event, obtain that permission before holding the event.

Campaign advertising should be truthful and should not mislead voters about the identity of a candidate, campaign, organization, or government body.

Candidates should take particular care when using:

• Government names, seals, logos, or insignia.

• Another candidate's name or likeness.

• News organizations' branding.

• Copyrighted photographs, music, or other creative works.

• Statements presented as official government announcements.

Government resources should not be represented as campaign resources, and campaign materials should not falsely imply that they are issued or endorsed by the State or the San Andreas Elections Agency.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring that campaign staff and volunteers understand the rules governing campaign activity.

A candidate should:

• Identify people working on their campaign.

• Give volunteers clear instructions about lawful campaign conduct.

• Ensure campaign materials are distributed responsibly.

• Address unlawful conduct by campaign workers promptly.

Support for a candidate does not authorize unlawful conduct on that candidate's behalf.

Elections are competitive, but campaigns should remain focused on persuading voters. Candidates may criticize an opponent's policies, qualifications, voting record, or public statements.

Candidates should not:

• Threaten or harass opponents.

• Damage or steal campaign property.

• Impersonate another candidate.

• Deliberately fabricate official documents or communications.

• Misrepresent themselves as another candidate or campaign.

Healthy political disagreement is part of an election. Criminal conduct is not.

Candidates should keep accurate records of money received and spent in connection with their campaign. Campaign funds should not be obtained through fraud, theft, coercion, or other unlawful means.

Candidates should also be cautious about accepting money, goods, services, or other benefits in exchange for promising official action.

If you are unsure whether a payment, gift, sponsorship, or other arrangement is permitted, contact the Elections Agency before accepting it.

Government offices and resources exist to serve the public.

Candidates should not assume that access to government facilities, equipment, databases, vehicles, communication systems, or other resources may be used for campaign purposes simply because they are publicly available or because a candidate has government employment.

When in doubt, keep government business and campaign business separate.

Voting for the Senate occurs from the first through fourteenth day of the final month of each Senate session.

During the election period:

• Check the Agency's official candidate list.

• Follow all election instructions issued by the Agency.

• Direct voters to the Agency for questions about voting eligibility or procedures.

• Do not interfere with the voting process.

• Do not attempt to access another person's ballot or voting information.

• Respect the secrecy of the ballot.

Do not:

• Prevent or attempt to prevent an eligible voter from voting.

• Threaten or intimidate voters.

• Attempt to discover how another person voted.

• Interfere with election officials performing their duties.

• Tamper with election equipment or records.

• Misrepresent Agency instructions to voters.

The Elections Agency is responsible for conducting, supervising, and regulating the election and for ensuring secure and accessible voting. If you believe an election violation has occurred, report it to the San Andreas Elections Agency rather than attempting to resolve it yourself.

The Agency manages the counting, verification, and certification of election results. Candidates should allow the electoral process to be completed before treating unofficial information as final.

If you have concerns about the conduct of an election, contact the Agency and provide:

• Your name and campaign.

• The date and location of the incident.

• A description of what occurred.

• The names of people involved, if known.

• Any available evidence or documentation.

The Agency has authority to investigate and report on electoral misconduct and irregularities.