Filing & Qualifying for Office

Are you ready to run

The materials on this page should answer many of the questions you may have about filing/qualifying for office, but it is not comprehensive. It is your responsibility, as a candidate, to follow all relevant Florida election laws and local charters that might have a bearing on your filing or your qualifications to run for office.

While not required, if you are submitting paperwork or have questions about running for office, we encourage you to click on the button below and schedule an appointment. 

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Schedule appointment Our Candidate Services department is based at our County Center office and can be reached at (813) 384-3944 or candidate@votehillsborough.gov.
Step 1
File
Step 2
Qualify

Required Forms

DS-DE 9   Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository

DS-DE 84  Statement of Candidate (attesting that you have read and understand campaign finance law, Chapter.106, F.S.)

DS-DE 83  Judicial Candidates only Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office (attesting you have read and understand the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct)

 

You must file form DS-DE9, Appointment of Campaign Treasurer, before opening your campaign account, accepting any contributions, making any campaign expenditures, or collecting petitions.

Within 10 days of filing form DS-DE9, you must file form DS-DE84, Statement of Candidate. Candidates for Judicial Office must within 10 days of filing form DS-DE9 also file form DS-DE83, Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office.

Where To File

Where you file for candidacy depends on the office you’re seeking; there are several Offices Up for Election. 

If you’re running for a county office, you’ll file and qualify with us. 

If you’re running for a federal, state or multi-county seat, the Florida Division of Elections is your qualifying officer. 

What Happens Next?

Once you file to run with our office, your name will be added to the list of Local Candidates.

You'll be required to file regular financial reports using the electronic reporting system. The Candidate & Committee Finance Login is where you access the system and find the calendar of reporting dates.

Please make sure to review Step 2 to learn what you need to do to qualify for office.

You can also visit our Candidate Dashboard for details on election dates, campaign signage guidelines, precinct information and more.

Back to candidate dashboard

 

CONTACT



Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Main Phone: (813) 744-5900 Toll Free: (888) 297-4362 Email: voter@votehillsborough.gov

Fred B. Karl County Center

601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor
Tampa, FL 33602
Tel: (813) 272-5850
Fax: (813) 272-7043

Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center

2514 North Falkenburg Rd.
Tampa, FL 33619
Tel: (813) 744-5900
Fax: (813) 744-5843

Northwest Regional Office

4575 Gunn Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33624
 
 

Southeast Regional Office

10020 South U.S. Hwy. 301
Riverview, FL 33578

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Voter registration applications and other written communications to or from the Supervisor of Elections are public records and are available to the public and media upon request unless the information is subject to a specific statutory exemption. Email addresses are also public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, please do not email us. Instead, contact us by mail or phone, or visit us in person. To request public records, visit this page.. For questions about public records, email publicrecords@votehillsborough.gov or call (813) 744-5900.