Burlingame and Hillsborough residents who want to run for office as write-in candidates in the Nov. 3 general election can file paperwork with San Mateo County starting Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The county's elections office set a deadline of 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 for all write-in filings. The county has not published a list of which specific Burlingame or Hillsborough seats are open to write-in candidates for this election, so residents interested in a particular local office should contact the elections division directly.

There is no filing fee.

Candidates must submit a Statement of Write-In Candidacy that includes their name, residential address, the office they are seeking and the election date. When applicable, a Statement of Economic Interests, known as Form 700, is also required. All documents must be filed at the same time.

Paperwork goes to the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo. Candidates can start the process by emailing [email protected], scheduling an appointment at smcacre.gov/appointments, or walking in. A completed registration form can also be returned by email; elections staff will then contact the filer to schedule an appointment to finish the process.

Write-in candidates will not appear on the printed ballot or in the sample ballot pamphlet mailed to voters. Their names will appear on the county's online Roster of Candidates, which is updated daily at smcacre.gov. A printed list of qualified write-in candidates will also be posted at Vote Centers starting Oct. 23.

Three Vote Centers open Oct. 5 for early in-person voting, with more locations added through Election Day. All registered San Mateo County voters will receive a mail ballot starting in October.

Mark Church, the county's chief elections officer and assessor-county clerk-recorder, announced in January that he will not seek a fifth term. His current term ends in January 2027, completing 30 years in elected public service.

For questions about write-in filing, residents can email [email protected] or call (650) 312-5222.