Secretary of State certifies November ballot

November ballot certified

The Secretary of State has certified the candidates and ballot measures for the November General Election, completing an official step in preparing the ballot. The certification identifies which candidate contests and proposed measures will be presented to voters.

It also does not decide the outcome of a contest or whether a proposed measure takes effect. Those questions are settled through votes cast in the general election.

Candidate contests give voters a choice among people seeking public office. Ballot measures ask voters to decide a specific public question. Both are included in the certified election lineup, though voters make separate choices in each contest or measure appearing on their ballot.

What certification means for voters

The certified lineup becomes the basis for the November General Election ballot. Election administrators use that official lineup as they prepare ballots and other election materials for voters.

Voters can use official election materials to review the contests and measures that apply to them. A voter’s ballot may depend on where the voter lives because some offices and measures cover particular jurisdictions rather than every voter participating in the election.

The next steps are ballot preparation, distribution of official voter information and voting in the November General Election. Certification confirms what will be presented for a public decision; it does not indicate how voters should vote or how any contest or measure will be decided.