Special election process laid out

The Kern County Elections Division has laid out the process for the 20th Congressional District special election to fill the remainder of the term of the seat vacated Dec. 31 by Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

A division news release said the signatures in lieu of filing fee period ends Tuesday. Signatures in lieu petitions may be obtained from the Kern County Elections Division. Only valid signatures from registered voters within the jurisdiction of the office will be used to reduce the filing fee. If the full amount of signatures to offset the filing fee is not gathered, the portion of the filing fee not covered by the signatures must be paid in full before the candidate can obtain their nomination documents.

Candidates are to obtain and deliver nomination papers to county elections for filing Jan. 19 to 25. Candidates must also file a declaration of candidacy and ballot designation worksheet during this period.

The period for all write-in candidates to file their statement of write-in candidacy and nomination papers with the Elections Division is Jan. 22 through March 5.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 19. Vote-by-mail ballots can be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day at any polling location, drop box, at the Elections Division, or at any ballot drop-off location. Vote-by-mail ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by March 19 and received in the Elections Division by March 26.

If one candidate receives a majority of the votes (50% plus 1), no special general election will be held.