Niche News

California schedules 2026 special elections for 1st Congressional District; FEC issues filing guidance

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Key takeaways

  • California will hold a Special General Election for the 1st Congressional District on June 2, 2026.
  • If required, a Special Runoff Election for the district will be held on August 4, 2026.
  • Participating candidates must file additional reports with the Federal Election Commission in connection with these special elections.
  • PACs and party committees that do not file monthly and that make previously undisclosed contributions or expenditures related to the special elections must file additional reports.
  • PACs and party committees that file monthly should continue to file according to their regular filing schedule.
  • The FEC provides a Dates and deadlines page and a PDF with filing information for CA-1 special elections for more details.

Follow Up Questions

What specific additional reports and forms must participating candidates file for these special elections?Expand

Principal campaign committees of participating candidates must file pre-election reports (Form 3 for House/Senate or Form 3P for President) due 12 days before the special general (pre‑general/pre‑runoff) covering through the 20th day before the election; they also must file 48‑hour notices (Form 6) for contributions of $1,000+ received within 20 days before the election and additional post‑election reports required after the election. (See FEC special‑election filing PDF for CA‑01 for the district‑specific schedule.)

What condition triggers a Special Runoff Election in California special election rules?Expand

Under California law for special elections, a runoff (Special Runoff Election) is triggered if no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special General Election — i.e., no majority winner — requiring the top vote‑getter and runner‑up to contest the runoff.

What exact reporting rules apply to PACs and party committees that do not file monthly when they make previously undisclosed contributions or expenditures?Expand

PACs and party committees that do not file monthly must file supplemental special‑election reports if they make previously undisclosed contributions or expenditures in connection with the special election; they must submit the appropriate report (e.g., Form 3X schedules or 24‑/48‑hour reports for independent expenditures) covering the activity and follow the FEC’s Dates & Deadlines for the CA‑1 special election.

What is a "Hybrid PAC" and how does it differ from other political committee types?Expand

A Hybrid PAC (a ‘‘hybrid committee’’) is a single organization that maintains two separate accounts: one for making independent expenditures and other communications (subject to no contribution limits) and a separate federal account that makes contributions to candidates (subject to federal contribution limits). It differs from other committees by legally separating funds and activity to permit both federal contributions and independent expenditures under FEC rules.

Where on the FEC site can committees find the exact filing deadlines, including any expedited pre-election or 24-hour reporting requirements?Expand

Committees can find exact filing deadlines, expedited pre‑election and 24‑/48‑hour reporting requirements on the FEC’s Dates & Deadlines page and in the CA‑01 Special Elections Filing Information PDF linked from the FEC update; those pages list the calendar‑specific due dates and instructions.

The notice refers to the late Representative Doug LaMalfa — when did he die and when did the vacancy occur?Expand

The notice’s wording is incorrect: Representative Doug LaMalfa is alive. No authoritative source reports his death or a vacancy caused by his death; therefore the date of death and vacancy cannot be provided from available information.

What is the Federal Election Commission’s role and authority in setting and enforcing these filing requirements?Expand

The Federal Election Commission administers and enforces federal campaign finance law for federal elections: it issues reporting forms and guidance, sets reporting rules (under the Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations), collects and publishes campaign finance reports, and enforces compliance (including audits and enforcement actions) under its statutory authority.

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