Run for County Coroner/Sheriff (Joint) in Santa Cruz County, CA

Election Date: Jun 2, 2026
Filing Deadline: Mar 6, 2026

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Election Details

Office level: county
Length of term: 4 years
Commitment level: Full Time
Affiliation: nonpartisan
Typical salary: $240,770.40 / year
Filing period: Feb 9, 2026 - Mar 6, 2026
Positions:
Santa Cruz County Sheriff/Coroner
Santa Cruz County Sheriff/Coroner

Job description

The County Coroner/Sheriff is a joint position responsible for investigating the manner and cause of death for residents in the county jurisdiction, as well as keeping the peace within the county, by ensuring offenders enter into bonds, with sureties for keeping the peace, and appear at the next Circuit Court.

Eligibility requirements

Candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person.

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FAQ

How often is County Coroner/Sheriff (Joint) elected?

The position of County Coroner/Sheriff (Joint) is typically elected every 4 years.

What does it mean for an election to be nonpartisan?

Nonpartisan elections do not require candidates to declare a party affiliation.

What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Santa Cruz County, CA?

Filing fee is 1% of the first year salary as of the first day on which a candidate may circulate petitions in-lieu of filing fees; signature requirement if the number of registered voters in the district in which a candidate seeks nomination is 2,000 or more is three signatures of registered voters for each dollar of the filing fee, or 7 percent of the total of registered voters in the district, whichever is less; if the number of registered voters in the district in which a candidate seeks nomination is less than 2,000, requirement is three signatures of registered voters for each dollar of the filing fee, or 14 percent of the total of registered voters in the district in which the candidate seeks nomination, whichever is less.

Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?

Submit paperwork to the county clerk's office.

Where is the filing office?

701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

How can I get in touch with the filing office?

You can contact the filing office by calling 831-454-2060.

How do I get started running for County Coroner/Sheriff (Joint)?

You can start running for County Coroner/Sheriff (Joint) by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!

Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?

The next election for County Coroner/Sheriff (Joint) includes a primary, but not a runoff election.

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