Becoming a Candidate
Definition of a Candidate
A candidate means any person to whom any one or more of the following apply:
Seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of the petition process;
Seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;
Receives contributions or makes expenditures, or consents for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bring about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;
Appoints a campaign treasurer and designates a campaign depository; or
Files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate's oath as required by law.
What to File
The
first document a person must file to become a candidate is the Appointment
of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (DS-DE
9).
The
candidate must include on the form the name and address of his or her
campaign treasurer. The appointment of campaign treasurer is not effective
until
the treasurer accepts the appointment by signing the form and filing
it with the
candidate's filing officer.
The Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository form must be on file with the filing officer prior to opening a campaign account.
Within 10 days of filing the DS-DE 9 the candidate must file the Statement of Candidate (DS-DE 84). Many candidates choose to file this form at the same time as they file their DS-DE 9. Candidates for Judicial Office must also file a Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office (DS-DE 83).
When to File
A
candidate may appoint a campaign treasurer and designate a campaign
depository (become a candidate) at any time, but the appointment must be
made before the candidate qualifies for office.
A
candidate may not accept contributions or make expenditures until after the
Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository
is
filed with the filing officer.
Qualifying
There are two ways a candidate can qualify to have their named placed on the ballot. During the qualifying period, all candidates must file with the qualifying officer Financial Disclosure Forms, a Loyalty Oath and Oath of Candidate. In addition the candidate must either pay a qualifying fee or a Certificate of Petition Qualifying to have their name placed on the ballot.
By Paying the Qualifying Fee
The qualifying fee for candidates affiliated with a political party running for a partisan office is 6% of the salary of the position. The qualifying fee includes a 3% election fee, 2% party assessment and a 1% election assessment. The 1% election assessment is remitted to the Elections Commission Trust Fund, which is used for statewide election administration. The 3% election fee and 2% party assessment is remitted to the candidates political party.
The qualifying fee for a candidate not affiliated with a political party running for a partisan office is 4% of the salary of the position. The qualifying fee includes a 3% election fee and a 1% election assessment. The 1% election assessment is remitted to the Elections Commission Trust Fund, which is used for statewide election administration. The 3% election fee remains in the County General Revenue Fund.
The qualifying fee for a candidate running for a non-partisan office such as County Court Judge and School Board Member is 4% of the salary of the position. The qualifying fee includes a 3% election fee and a 1% election assessment. The entire 4% fee is remitted to the Election Commission Trust Fund, which is used for statewide election administration.
The qualifying fee for a candidate for City of Tampa Mayor or City Council is 6% of the Salary of the position. The qualifying fee includes a 5% qualifying fee and a 1% election assessment. The 1% election assessment is remitted to the Elections Commission Trust Fund, which is used for statewide election administration. The 5% qualifying fee is remitted to the City of Tampa General Revenue Fund.
By Petition
For
information on qualifying by the petition method, click here.
By Write In
If
a candidate chooses not to pay the qualifying fee or collect petition
signatures, he or she may qualify as a write-in candidate by filing the above
mentioned forms with the qualifying officer. The candidate's name will not
appear on the ballot, but a space will be provided on the ballot for voters to
write-in the name of the candidate. It's up to the candidate to let people know
that if they want to vote for him or her that they must write-in their
name.
Forms and Publications
Handbooks for Candidates and Treasurers, designed specifically for candidates running for state level offices
Election Laws, a compilation of the Election Laws of the
State of Florida.