County Supervisors: a five-member body elected by district that serves as the governing body for the county. They make decisions about funding and appointments to non-elected roles.

County Treasurer-Tax Collector: manages and protects the County’s financial assets.

Superintendent of Schools: oversees the County Office of Education which approves budgets and monitors compliance with state and federal laws.

Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder: responsible for managing property assessments, vital records, and election administration.

Controller: oversees the office of the Controller which administers the County’s accounting system and prepares annual financial reports.

Coroner: an independent official responsible for investigating unnatural deaths.

County Superior Court Judge: one of the 26 San Mateo County Superior Court Judges. Each serves a 6 year term, but elections only occur when a seat is contested.

For more information about these offices see the San Mateo County Charter and the County Elections page.

State Assembly: elected to serve 2 year terms, assembly members represent their district in the California legislature. The legislature includes two bodies: the Assembly and the Senate. See the California State Assembly website for more information on how the Assembly works.

U.S. Representative: elected to serve 2 year terms, members of the U.S. House of Representatives represent their districts in Congress. Congress includes both the Senate and the House. See the United States House of Representatives website for more information on how the House works.

Governor: chief executive of the California state government. Has substantial power including appointing judges and officials across state government, proposing new laws, approving or vetoing legislation, vetoing individual line-items in the state budget, and exercising broad emergency powers during declared emergencies.

Lieutenant Governor: second-highest executive officer in California. Assumes the governor’s powers when the governor is out of state or unable to serve. Serves as president of the State Senate and has a tie-breaking vote. Chairs the Commission for Economic Development; is a member of the State Lands Commission, and the Ocean Protection Council; and sits on the boards of the California university systems.

Secretary of State: chief elections officer and official record keeper. Oversees statewide elections, voter registration, campaign finance disclosures, lobbying records, and business entity registrations including corporations and LLCs. Preserves California's history by acquiring, safeguarding, and sharing the state’s historical treasures.

Controller: the state's chief fiscal officer. Serves as the state's accountant and bookkeeper of all public funds. Administers the state payroll system and unclaimed property laws and conducts audits and reviews of state operations. Serves on the Board of Equalization, the Board of Control, and other boards and commissions.

Treasurer: the state’s banker, manages the state’s investments, and administers the sale of state bonds and notes. Serves on several commissions, most of which are related to the marketing of bonds. Pays out state funds when spent by the Controller and other state agencies.

Attorney General: the state's chief law officer. Ensures that state laws are enforced and investigates fraudulent or illegal activities. Heads the Department of Justice, which provides state government legal services and represents the state in civil and criminal court cases. Oversees law enforcement agencies, including county district attorneys and sheriffs.

Insurance Commissioner: heads the Department of Insurance, which enforces California insurance laws and adopts regulations to implement the laws. Licenses, regulates, and examines insurance companies. Investigates fraud, and enforces consumer protection laws related to insurance.

Board of Equalization: assesses the property of regulated railroads and specific public utilities, and assesses and collects the private railroad car tax. Oversees the assessment practices of the state's 58 county assessors. Assesses and collects the alcoholic beverage tax, and jointly administers the tax on insurers.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: runs the Department of Education and serves as the secretary and executive officer for the State Board of Education. Responsible for implementing policies adopted by the state board and administering education funding and accountability systems.

For more information about these roles and candidate statements, see the official California voter information guide.