Ballot access requirements for political parties in the United States

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as a guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

Although there are hundreds of political parties in the United States, only certain parties qualify to have the names of their candidates for office printed on election ballots. In order to qualify for ballot placement, a party must meet certain requirements that vary from state to state. For example, in some states, a party may have to file a petition in order to qualify for ballot placement. In other states, a party must organize around a candidate for a specific office; that candidate must, in turn, win a percentage of the vote in order for the party to be granted ballot status. In still other states, an aspiring political party must register a certain number of voters.

This article outlines political party formation requirements in each of the states.

Alabama

See statutes: Code of Alabama Title 17, Chapter 13

In Alabama, a state political party is defined as an organization of voters whose candidate for a state office receives more than 20% of the total votes cast in a general election for state officers.^[1] If a party does not meet this threshold, its members must follow the process below to become ballot-qualified:^[2]

The party seeking official recognition by the state must submit the party's emblem to the Alabama Secretary of State 60 days before the primary election.^[3]
The party must file a certificate of nomination of candidates by 5 p.m. on the day of the primary.^[4] Minor political parties are not required to give notice of a meeting held to nominate candidates.^[5]
The party must file a petition with signatures of at least 3% of the total vote for the office of governor in the last general election (for statewide ballot access) by 5 p.m. on the day of the primary.^[6]

Alaska

See statutes: Section 15.80.008 and Section 15.80.010 of the Alaska Election Law

Definitions

A recognized political party in Alaska is an "organized group of voters that represents a political program and has at least 5,000 registered voters in the state."^[7]

A political group in Alaska is "an organized group of voters seeking status as a recognized political party. ... A person who is registered as affiliated with a political group may file a declaration of candidacy, to appear on the primary election ballot, in the same manner as a person who is registered as affiliated with a political party."^[7]

A limited political party in Alaska is a "political group that organizes for the purpose of selecting candidates for electors for President and Vice President of the United States. A group may file a petition to become a limited political party, and maintains this status if its presidential candidate receives at least three percent of the votes."^[7]

Ballot access

According to Alaska Statutes Section 15.25.030:^[8]

“

A person who seeks to become a candidate in the primary election or a special primary election shall execute and file a declaration of candidacy. The declaration shall be executed under oath before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and must state in substance ...

... the political party or political group with which the candidate is registered as affiliated, or whether the candidate would prefer a nonpartisan or undeclared designation placed after the candidate's name on the ballot ...^[9]

”

Becoming a political group

A political group must file an application with the director of the Alaska Division of Elections that includes the group's name and contact information. The director will then begin to track voter registrations for the political group.^[10]

Becoming a recognized political party

To obtain recognized political party status, a political group must perform the following steps on or before May 31 of the election year for which the group seeks recognition:^[11]

File an application with the director of elections.
Submit bylaws to the director and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Meet the statutory definition of a political party ("an organized group of voters that represents a political program and has at least 5,000 registered voters in the state").^[12]

Arizona

See statutes: Title 16, Chapter 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes

Qualifying for ballot access

To establish a recognized political party in Arizona, the group wishing to qualify as a party must file a petition with the Arizona Secretary of State. This petition must contain signatures from registered voters equal to at least 1.33% of the total votes cast for governor at the last general election.^[13]

In order to gain statewide recognition, signatures must come from at least five counties. In addition, at least 10% of the total number of signatures must come from registered voters in counties with populations of less than 500,000 people.^[13] This petition must be filed at least 250 days before the primary election.^[14]

Maintaining ballot access

Once recognized, a new political party will be qualified through the next two regularly scheduled general elections. After those two elections, the party will no longer be recognized unless it qualifies for continued recognition or files a new petition for recognition.^[13] To qualify for continued recognition, the party's candidate for governor must receive at least 5% of the votes cast in the gubernatorial election. Alternatively, 0.67% of all registered voters in the state must have affiliated with the party by October 1 of the year before the general election.^[15]

Convention requirements

The state committee of a political party must meet no later than the fourth Saturday in January following a general election. At this meeting, a chairman, secretary, and treasurer must be elected from the party's membership. The current chairman of the state committee must notify all state committee members of the time and place of the meeting at least 10 days before the meeting will be held.^[16]

Arkansas

See statutes: Arkansas Code § 7-7-205

In Arkansas, a political party is defined as a group of voters whose candidate at the last preceding general election for governor or president received at least 3% of all votes cast for the office.^[17] The steps a group must take in order to be recognized by the state are described below:

The political group wishing to become a recognized political party must file a petition with the Arkansas Secretary of State containing 10,000 signatures from registered voters in the state. The petition must be submitted at least three weeks before the primary, and signatures cannot be gathered earlier than January 1 of the year following the general election.^[18]
Once the secretary of state certifies the petition, the new political party must nominate candidates by convention for its first general election on the ballot.^[18]
If the new party receives at least 3% of all votes cast for the office of governor or for presidential elector nominees at that general election, the new party maintains its status and can nominate candidates via primary rather than by convention.^[18] If a party does not receive 3% of the vote, it ceases to be a political party.^[19]

California

See statutes: California Elections Code Sections 5000-5006

In California, a party is ballot-qualified for a primary election when, at the most recent gubernatorial primary, "the sum of the votes cast for all of the candidates for an office voted on throughout the state who disclosed a preference for that party on the ballot was at least 2 percent of the entire vote of the state for that office," when "voters equal in number to at least 0.33 percent of the total number of voters registered on the 154th day before the primary election have declared their preference for that party," or when "there is filed with the Secretary of State a petition signed by voters, equal in number to at least 10 percent of the entire vote of the state at the last preceding gubernatorial election, declaring that they represent a proposed party."^[20]

The process for a party to become qualified to participate in a primary in California is outlined below.

The group wishing to qualify must hold a convention or caucus to elect temporary officers and determine the party name.^[21]^[22]
After the convention, the group must file with the California Secretary of State and qualify in one of two ways:^[21]^[22]
- Voter registration method
  - To qualify by voter registration, voters equaling at least 0.33% of the number of registered voters in the state on the 154th day before the primary — as determined by the secretary of state by the 135th day before the primary — must complete an affidavit of registration with the new party's name.^[21]^[20]
- Petition method
  - To qualify by petition, signatures from registered voters equaling at least 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election must be collected. Petitions must be filed with the county election officials in which signatures were collected with enough time for the secretary of state to make a determination by the 135th day before the primary.^[21]^[20]
Once a political party is ballot-qualified, in order to participate in subsequent primaries, it must either have a candidate for statewide office receive at least 2% of the entire vote in an election, or the party must retain registration equal to at least 0.33% of registered voters in the state as of the 154th day before the primary.^[21]^[20] Any party that does not retain 1/15 of 1% (0.067%) of the state's total registration of voters after previously qualifying for a primary loses its qualification for subsequent primaries.^[21]^[20]

Colorado

See statutes: Title 1, Article 4 of the Colorado Revised Statutes

There are three types of political entities in Colorado: qualified political organizations (QPOs), minor parties, and major parties. The qualification processes for each of these political entities are outlined below.

Qualified political organization (QPOs)

To become a recognized QPO, a group must meet the following requirements:^[23]^[24]

The group must file a proof of organization form with the Colorado Secretary of State. This form must include the organization's bylaws and leadership.
The group must meet as an organization at least once per year. At meetings during odd-numbered years, the group must elect leadership. At meetings during even-numbered years, the group must select candidates who will attempt to petition for ballot access.
The group must certify at least one candidate for the general election ballot every two years. QPO candidates must petition for ballot placement.

Once a QPO has filed a proof of organization form, met as an organization, and certified a candidate for the general election ballot, the QPO will be considered qualified. At this point, registered voters are permitted to register affiliation with the QPO. If any of the above requirements is not met, the QPO's recognized status will be revoked.^[24]

Minor parties

There are three methods for qualifying as a minor party:^[23]^[25]^[26]

A QPO can qualify as a minor party if any of its candidates for statewide office received at least 5% of the total votes for that office in either of the two preceding general elections.
A QPO can qualify as a minor party if at least 1,000 registered voters designate affiliation with it by July 1 of the election year.
A group may petition to become a minor party. The petition must contain signatures of at least 10,000 registered Colorado voters and must be submitted to the secretary of state by the second Friday of January in the year of the election.

The group must file a set of bylaws or a party constitution with the secretary of state. The group must file any amendments to the party bylaws or constitution no later than 15 days after adopting them.^[27]

A minor party maintains its status as long as one of its candidates for statewide office received at least 1% of the total votes cast in either of the last two general elections or if 1,000 or more registered voters are affiliated with the minor party by July 1 before either of the last two general elections.^[25]

A qualified minor party may nominate candidates for the general election just as a major party does. Minor parties are also permitted to nominate candidates by petition or by assembly.^[23]^[28]

Major parties

In Colorado, a major political party is any party that at the last gubernatorial election was represented by a candidate who received at least 10% of the votes cast for the office of governor.^[29]^[30]

Connecticut

See statutes: Chapter 153 of the Connecticut Statutes

Qualifying as a minor party

According to the Connecticut Secretary of State's office, the following steps must be followed in order to establish a minor party in Connecticut:^[31]

“

The first step in becoming a minor party is running a candidate using a Nominating Petition with a party designation. If that candidate garners one percent (1%) of the votes cast for that office, a minor party for that office is born. Having minor party status affords the minor party the ability to nominate for the office without having to gather signatures at the next election for that office.
The second step in maintaining a minor party is to file party rules. Connecticut General Statute §9-374 requires that minor parties file " ...at least one copy of the party rules .... in the office of the Secretary of the State..." This filing is required before the minor party nominates a candidate for that office in the next election.
The third step in maintaining minor party status is to continually run candidates as the offices are up for re-election. Failure to do so will result in the loss of minor party status for that office.^[9]

”

Minor party convention requirements

A minor party cannot appoint delegates to a convention unless the party's rules have been submitted to the secretary of state at least 60 days prior to the selection.^[32] At least five days before a convention is held to nominate candidates, written notice of the date, time, location, and purpose of the convention must be submitted to the secretary of state. This information must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the district of the office or offices for which candidates will be nominated at the convention.^[33]

Qualifying as a major party

Major party recognition can be achieved if one of the following criteria is met:^[34]

The party's candidate for governor at the most recent general election received at least 20% of the total votes cast for that office.
At the time of the most recent general election for governor, at least 20% of the total number of registered voters had enrolled with the party.

Delaware

See statutes: Title 15, Chapter 30 of the Delaware Code

Definitions

According to Delaware law, a political party is "[A]ny political organization which elects a state committee and officers of a state committee, by a state convention composed of delegates elected from each representative district in which the party has registered members, and which nominates candidates for electors of President and Vice-President, or nominates candidates for offices to be decided at the general election."^[35] According to the law:^[35]

“

All political parties shall be divided into 2 classes:

a. “Major political party” means any political party which, as of December 31 of the year immediately preceding any general election year, has registered in the name of that party voters equal to at least 5 percent of the total number of voters registered in the State.

b. “Minor political party” means any political party which does not qualify as a major political party.^[9]

”

Gaining ballot access

In Delaware, a political party will not be listed on the general election ballot unless the number of registered voters affiliated with the party by 21 days before the primary election equals at least 0.1% of the total registered voters in the state as of December 31 of the year prior to the election.^[36]

Florida

See statutes: Chapter 103 of the Florida Statutes

Minor party definition

Section 97.021, Florida Statutes, defines a minor political party as a group which, after having filed certain documents with the Florida Division of Elections, does not have registration equaling at least 5% of the state's total registered voters by January 1 before a primary election.^[37] Section 103.095, Florida Statutes, states:^[38]

“

Any group of citizens organized for the general purposes of electing to office qualified persons and determining public issues under the democratic processes of the United States may become a minor political party of this state by filing with the department a certificate showing the name of the organization, the names and addresses of its current officers, including the members of its executive committee, accompanied by a completed uniform statewide voter registration application as specified in s. 97.052 for each of its current officers and members of its executive committee which reflect their affiliation with the proposed minor political party, and a copy of its constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations.^[9]

”

The members of the executive committee of the minor party must elect a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. Each of these positions must be filled by a member of the minor party.^[38]

Minor party ballot access

According to the Florida Division of Elections:^[39]

“

If more than one candidate from the minor political party has qualified for the same office, the names of the candidates will appear on the ballot and only registered members of the minor political party will be permitted to vote for the candidates. If only one candidate has qualified for the office, the candidate’s name will not be on the primary ballot, but will appear on the general election ballot.^[9]

”

Major party definition

If at least 5% of the state's total registered voters affiliate as members of a minor party by January 1 preceding a primary election, the party is considered a major political party.^[37]^[40]

Georgia

See statutes: Title 21, Chapter 2 of the Georgia Code

Official political party status in Georgia is determined by the number of votes a candidate receives at a gubernatorial or presidential election. To be recognized as a political party by the state, a party's candidate for governor must have received at least 20% of the vote cast in the preceding gubernatorial election in the state, or a party's candidate for president must have received 20% of the national vote in the preceding presidential election. If a group's candidate does not receive enough votes, the group is considered a political organization.^[41] The law defines a political organization as "an affiliation of electors organized for the purpose of influencing or controlling the policies and conduct of government through the nomination of candidates for public office and, if possible, the election of its candidates to public office[.]"^[41]

Registering a new political organization

A new political organization must file a registration statement with the Georgia Secretary of State, along with a $10 filing fee, within 60 days of its organization. The registration statement must contain the following information:^[42]

“

(1) Its name and the date and place of its creation;
(2) The general purposes for which it was created;
(3) Certified copies of its charter, bylaws, rules, and regulations, and other documents of like dignity governing its organization and operation;
(4) The address of its principal office;
(5) The names, home addresses, and titles of the persons composing its governing committee and executive officers; and
(6) Such other information as the Secretary of State may require as necessary or appropriate in the public interest.^[9]

”

The registration statement of a new political organization will not be approved if the name of the organization is the same as or deceptively similar to any already established political parties or political organizations. If any information in the registration statement changes, an amendment describing the changes must be filed with the Georgia Secretary of State within 30 days of the change. An additional $2 filing fee must be paid for each amendment.^[42]

Once a political organization is registered, it may nominate candidates for placement on the general election ballot. The political organization can nominate candidates by convention if one of the following criteria is met:^[43]

“

(1) The political body files with the Secretary of State a petition signed by voters equal in number to 1 percent of the registered voters who were registered and eligible to vote in the preceding general election;
(2) At the preceding general election, the political body nominated a candidate for state-wide office and such candidate received a number of votes equal to 1 percent of the total number of registered voters who were registered and eligible to vote in such general election.^[9]

”

If the political organization does not qualify to nominate its statewide candidates by convention, those candidates must be nominated by petition, following the same requirements that apply to independent candidates.^[44]

Hawaii

See statutes: Chapter 11, Part V of the Hawaii Revised Statutes

Hawaii state law defines a political party as an association of voters united to promote a common political end or to carry out a particular line of political policy. The party must maintain a general organization throughout the state, including a central committee and county committees. A political party must also have fielded candidates in the last general election for statewide or federal office. A party must also have achieved at least one of the following:^[45]

The party received at least 10% of all votes cast for any statewide office, or in at least half of the congressional districts.
The party received at least 4% of all votes cast for either all state senate offices or all state house offices statewide.
The party received at least 2% of all votes cast for all state senate offices and all state representative offices combined statewide.

If a group did not receive enough votes to qualify as a political party, or if a group wishes to create a new political party, that group must qualify by petition using the process described below.^[46]^[47]

To receive a petition for ballot access, a group must apply to the Hawaii Office of Elections.
Upon receipt of the application, the Hawaii Office of Elections will issue the petition upon which the group can collect signatures for ballot access. The petition should declare the intention of the signers to qualify as a political party and state the name of the new party.
The number of signatures collected to gain ballot access must be equal to at least 0.1% of the total number of registered voters of the state as of the most recent general election.
The qualifying petition must be filed with the Hawaii Office of Elections by the 170th day prior to the primary election. When filing the petition, the following must also be filed:
- Names and addresses of the party central committee officers,
- Names and addresses of the party county committee officers, and
- Party rules.

Once a political party has qualified by petition and continued to qualify for three consecutive elections, that party will be considered qualified for a period of 10 years without needing to petition, provided the party continues to field candidates for election to public office. The 10-year period begins with the next regularly scheduled general election. At the end of the 10-year period, the party must either have qualified by receiving enough votes for their fielded candidates or must re-qualify by petition.^[47]

Idaho

See statutes: Title 34 Chapter 5 of the Idaho Code

According to Idaho law, a political party is "an organization of electors under a given name."^[48] A political party can qualify to participate in elections in any of the following ways:^[48]

“

(a) By having three (3) or more candidates for state or national office listed under the party name at the last general election, provided that those individuals seeking the office of president, vice president and president elector shall be considered one candidate, or

(b) By polling at the last general election for any one of its candidates for state or national office at least three per cent (3%) of the aggregate vote cast for governor or for presidential electors.

(c) By an affiliation of electors who shall have signed a petition which shall:

(A) State the name of the proposed party in not more than six (6) words;

(B) State that the subscribers thereto desire to place the proposed party on the ballot;

(C) Have attached thereto a sheet or sheets containing the signatures of at least a number of qualified electors equal to two per cent (2%) of the aggregate vote cast for presidential electors in the state at the previous general election at which presidential electors were chosen;

(D) Be filed with the secretary of state on or before August 30 of even numbered years;

(E) The format of the signature petition sheets shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and shall be patterned after, but not limited to, such sheets as used for state initiative and referendum measures;

(F) The petitions and signatures so submitted shall be verified in the manner prescribed in section 34-1807, Idaho Code.

(G) The petition shall be circulated no earlier than August 30 of the year preceding the general election.^[9]

”

Once the secretary of state certifies that the petition has met the requirements of the law, the party shall have all the rights of a political party and hold a state convention to elect officers and nominate candidates.^[49]

Illinois

See statutes: Chapter 10, Section 5, Article 10 of the Illinois Statutes

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, "A new political party is created when nomination papers are filed for a new political group within a specific district or a political subdivision. If the new party receives more than 5% of the total votes cast at the consolidated election, it becomes an established political party as to any district or political subdivision thereof."^[50]

Any group intending to create a new political party must file a new party petition. Signature requirements for the petition are as follows:^[51]

New political party petition requirements
Political subdivision	Statutory signature requirement
Statewide	Either 1% of voters who voted at the last statewide general election, or 25,000 voters, whichever is less
Congressional district	5% of voters who voted at the last general election in that district, or the number of signatures required to gain state recognition, whichever is less^[52]
Illinois State Senate district	5% of voters who voted at the last general election in that district, or the number of signatures required to gain state recognition, whichever is less^[53]
Illinois House of Representatives district	5% of voters who voted at the last general election in that district, or the number of signatures required to gain state recognition, whichever is less^[54]

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, "A political group wishing to form a new political party within a municipality must file petitions with a full slate of candidates for such political subdivision. The following court case has held that the full-slate requirement for new political parties is unconstitutional: Libertarian Party of Illinois v. ISBE, et al., ... Upon such filing, a new political party is created. That new political party remains a new political party for the election for which it filed a full slate of candidates. If the new political party receives more than 5% of the votes cast at that election, it becomes an established political party. If it does not, it ceases to exist."^[50]

Once the petition and nomination papers have been filed, the new political party may place its candidates on the general election ballot, but the party will not be officially recognized as an established political party unless its candidates receive at least 5% of the total number of votes cast for the offices for which the party ran candidates. If the new political party ran a candidate for gubernatorial office and that candidate received at least 5% of the votes cast for that office, the new political party will be recognized as an established political party statewide.^[51]

Only established political parties may nominate candidates by primary.^[55]

Indiana

See statutes: Title 3, Article 8 of the Indiana Code

According to the Indiana Election Division:^[56]

“

"A person is considered a major party candidate if the candidate affiliated with the party obtained the highest or second-highest number of votes cast for Indiana Secretary of State at the last election held for the Secretary of State’s office. ... If a political party did not run a candidate for that office ... or if the party’s candidate did not receive the highest or second-highest number of votes ... the party is considered a 'minor party' for ballot access purposes. ... If a minor party received at least two percent (2%), but less than ten percent (10%) of the vote cast for Indiana Secretary of State at the last election held for the office, the party may nominate candidates for the general election by conducting a state, county, or municipal convention.^[9]

”

Before a new political party is recognized, its candidates must file by petition method, in the same manner as independent candidates. On the nominating petition, however, candidates can designate the party they are running with and use the party device to further distinguish themselves from independent candidates.^[57]^[58]

If the new party's candidate for secretary of state receives at least 2% of the total votes cast for that office, the party can nominate its candidates at a state convention rather than by petition method in future elections.^[59] If the new party's candidate for secretary of state receives at least 10% of the total votes cast for that office, the party must nominate its candidates via primary election.^[60]

Iowa

See statutes: Section 43, Title II of the Iowa Code

Definitions

According to Iowa law, a political party is "a party which, at the last preceding general election, cast for its candidate for president of the United States or for governor, as the case may be, at least two percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for that office at that election."^[61]

A non-party political organization (NPPO) is any political organization that does not meet the requirements to become a political party. NPPOs are not required to file paperwork for state recognition. Each NPPO may nominate a single candidate per partisan office.^[62]

Ballot access

Only political parties may have candidates placed on the primary ballot. NPPO candidates must file nomination papers in order to be placed on the general election ballot. Nomination papers for an NPPO candidate include an affidavit of candidacy and either nomination petitions or a certificate from an NPPO convention.^[62]

For an NPPO to become a political party, it must do the following:^[62]

Place a candidate for president or governor on the general election ballot.
That candidate must then receive at least 2% of the votes cast for that office.
Once the first two conditions are met, the NPPO must file an application for political party status with the Iowa Secretary of State. This must be done after the state's canvass of votes but within one year of the general election date.

The new political party's candidate for president or governor must continue to receive at least 2% of the vote at the general election in order for the party to maintain qualified status. If a candidate does not receive enough votes, the party's status will be revoked, and the process will have to be repeated.^[62]

Kansas

See statutes: Kansas Statutes Section 25-302a

A political organization seeking official recognition from the state as a political party must petition the Kansas Secretary of State for such status. Petitions must be signed by qualified electors equal in number to at least 2% of the total votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last preceding general election and must be filed by noon on June 1 before the primary.^[63]

The petition must declare support for the official recognition of the political party named in the petition. A party seeking recognition cannot assume a name or designation that, in the opinion of the secretary of state, is "unreasonably lengthy or so similar to the name or designation of an existing political party as to confuse or mislead the voters at an election."^[63]

Ballot access

Any party whose candidate for governor received at least 5% of the vote in the most recent gubernatorial election is required to nominate its candidates by primary. Other officially recognized political parties must nominate their candidates for office by state convention.^[64]

Parties that nominate their candidates via state convention are required by statute to submit a certified list of all nominees to the secretary of state by noon on June 1 of each election year (or the next business day, if June 1 falls on a weekend or holiday). These nominees are then placed on the general election ballot.^[64]

Maintaining party status

In order to maintain recognized status, a political party must field a candidate for statewide office who wins at least 1% of the total number of votes cast for that office at the general election.^[65]

Kentucky

See statutes: Chapter 118 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes

In Kentucky, no paperwork is required to establish a political party. Instead, political entities are distinguished by the number of votes their candidates receive in the general election. The state recognizes three types of political entities: political parties, political organizations, and political groups. Each is allowed to place candidates on the ballot in different ways.

Political parties

A political party is an entity whose candidate received at least 20% of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election. Political parties must nominate their candidates via primary elections.^[66]^[67]

Political organizations

A political organization is an entity whose candidate won between 2% and 20% of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election. A political organization may nominate its candidates by either convention or party primary. Candidates may also be nominated by petition.^[66]^[67]^[68]

Political groups

A political group is an entity that did not meet the qualifications to be recognized as a political organization or political party. A political group may only nominate candidates by petition.^[66]^[67]^[69]

Louisiana

See statutes: Title 18, Section 441 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes

Gaining ballot access

In Louisiana, a new political party may be recognized in one of two ways:^[70]^[71]

1. The party meets the following criteria:^[71]

“

there are at least 5,000 registered voters in the state registered as being affiliated with such party;
the political party has filed a notarized political party registration statement with the secretary of state; and
the political party has paid a registration fee of $5,000 to the secretary of state.^[9]

”

The party must file and pay the registration fee no later than 90 days before the candidate qualifying period opens.^[70] In order to maintain ballot access, a party must continue to put candidates on the ballot. If no registered member of the party qualifies as a primary candidate for four consecutive years, the party will cease to be recognized.^[70]

2. A candidate affiliated with the political party received at least 5% of the votes in the last presidential election, or if any candidate affiliated with the political party received at least 5% of the vote in a statewide primary or general election.^[70]

In order to maintain ballot access, a party must continue to meet the above criteria. If a party does not meet the criteria for four consecutive years, the party will cease to be recognized. As of August 1, 2025, Louisiana does not recognize any party "which declares its name solely to be 'Independent' or the 'Independent Party.'"^[70]^[71]

Maine

See statutes: Title 21-A, Article 1 of the Maine Revised Statutes

Party formation

Political parties in Maine can obtain official recognition in one of two ways: organization around a candidate or organization by party enrollment. These two methods are detailed below.

Organization around a candidate

A voter or group of voters not enrolled in a qualified political party may file a declaration of intent to form a new political party. The form of the declaration is prescribed by the secretary of state and must include the following information:^[72]

the designation of the proposed party
the name of a candidate for governor or president in the most recent general election who was nominated by petition and who received at least 5% of the total number of votes cast for the office
the candidate's signed consent
the contact information and signature of the voter or one of the group of voters who files the declaration.

The declaration of intent must be filed with the secretary of state before 5:00 p.m. on the 180th day preceding the next primary election. After filing the declaration, the voter or group of voters may enroll voters in the proposed party.^[72]

Organization by party enrollment

A group of 10 or more voters who are not enrolled in a qualified political party may file a declaration of intent to form a party with the secretary of state between December 1 and December 30 of an even-numbered year. The form of the declaration is prescribed by the secretary of state and must include the following information:^[73]

the designation of the proposed party
the contact information and signatures of the voters filing the declaration

Within five business days of receipt, the secretary of state will certify whether the declaration is sufficient and notify the applicants that they may begin enrolling voters in the proposed party. By January 2 of the even-numbered year following the filing of the declaration of intent, the applicants must file a certification with the secretary of state indicating that at least 5,000 voters have enrolled in the proposed party. The secretary of state must verify these enrollment figures within 15 business days of receipt and notify the applicants whether the proposed party may participate in the next primary election.^[73]

Procedural requirements

A newly qualified political party must conduct municipal caucuses in at least one municipality in each of the state's 16 counties during the election year. Municipal caucuses are held every two years to elect delegates to the state convention and to tend to any other party business. A caucus notice must be published in a newspaper "having general circulation in the municipality" at least three and no more than seven days before the caucus. The caucus notice may also be posted in a "conspicuous, public place in each voting district in the municipality" at least seven days prior to the caucus. The notice must contain the party name, the time and place of the caucus, and the name of the person calling it.^[72]^[73]^[74]

A newly qualified party must also hold a state convention. The voter or group of voters who filed the declaration of intent may perform the convention duties normally performed by a party's state committee during the new party's first state convention.^[75]

Maintaining party status

To maintain qualified status, a political party's designation must have been listed on the ballot in either of the two preceding general elections. Further, the party must also meet all of the following requirements:^[76]

"The party held municipal caucuses as prescribed by Article 2 in at least one municipality in a minimum of 14 counties in the State during the election year in which the designation was listed on the ballot and any interim election year and fulfills this same requirement during the year of the primary election;
"The party held a state convention as prescribed by Article III during the election year in which the designation was listed on the ballot and any interim election year; and ...
"The party's candidate for Governor or for President received at least 5% of the total votes cast in the State for Governor or for President in the last preceding gubernatorial or presidential election or at least 5,000 voters were enrolled in the party as of the last general election, except that a qualified party does not have to meet the requirements of this paragraph until the 2nd general election after it has qualified and thereafter. "

Maryland

See statutes: Election Law, Title 4, Subtitle 1, Section 102 of the Annotated Code of Maryland

Any group of registered voters may form a new political party by submitting a petition and interim constitution and bylaws. The petition must state the following:^[77]^[78]

the name of the aspirant party
the name, contact information, and signature of the state chairman (i.e., sponsor) of the aspirant party
the names and addresses of 25 registered voters (including the state chairman) who will constitute the initial governing body of the party

Within a two-year period beginning on the date the first signature is made to the petition and ending on the date the last signature is made to the petition, supporters must collect 10,000 signatures from eligible voters. Petitions for the formation of a new political party may be filed in presidential, gubernatorial, or special election years.^[77]^[78]

Maryland law separates political parties into two separate categories: principal parties and non-principal parties. Principal parties include the majority party, which is the party whose candidate for governor received the largest number of votes of any party candidate at the most recent general election, and the principal minority party, which is the party whose candidate for governor received the second highest number of votes of any party candidate at the most recent general election. All other parties are considered non-principal political parties. Principal parties are required to nominate candidates for office via primary elections. Non-principal parties may select candidates according to their respective constitutions and bylaws, but cannot participate in primaries.^[77]^[79]^[80]

Maintaining party status

A newly qualified political party will retain its status as a political party until December 31 of the year of the second statewide general election following the party's initial qualification. Thereafter, the political party can only retain its status by meeting either of the following requirements:^[81]

The party must nominate a candidate for the highest office on the ballot in a statewide general election. The party's candidate must win at least 1% of the total votes cast for that office. By doing so, the party will retain its status until December 31 in the year of the next following general election.
The party must demonstrate that, as of December 31 each year, at least 1% of the state's registered voters are affiliated with the party. By doing so, the party will retain its status until December 31 of the next year.

In the event that a party loses qualified status, it can only regain qualified status by petitioning again for recognition.^[81]

Procedural requirements

The state chairman designated in the new party's formation petition must convene an organizational meeting within 90 days after filing the petition. At this meeting, the individuals designated as the initial governing body of the new party must adopt a constitution and bylaws. The constitution and bylaws must provide for the following:

selection of a state governing body
calling of regular meetings, notification of meetings, and special notice for special meetings
establishment of a quorum
method of amending the party's constitution or bylaws
procedures for filling a vacancy in a nomination for public office
procedures for determining which of two or more party members who qualify for nomination in the same contest will be designated on the ballot as nominees of the party
adoption of rules governing the political party^[77]^[82]

Within 30 days of adopting or amending the party's constitution, bylaws, or rules, the party must file a current copy with the state board of elections.^[82]

Massachusetts

See statutes: Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title VIII, Chapter 50, Section 1

A political party in Massachusetts is defined as any party that, at the last preceding statewide election, polled for any statewide office at least 3% of the entire vote cast for that office. Alternatively, a political party can qualify for state recognition if at least 1% of all registered voters are enrolled as members of the party. Such parties are eligible to conduct primary elections.^[83]

A political designation in Massachusetts refers to any designation, expressed in no more than three words, used to qualify a political party. At least 50 registered voters must file a form with the secretary of the commonwealth requesting that they and any other voters may change their registrations to the new designation. There is no stated deadline for filing this request, although any such request filed before December 1 in the year of a state election will not be effective until December 1. Voters who enroll in legal political designations cannot vote in any state or presidential primaries. Political designations may also be used by individual candidates without the intent to qualify a political party.^[83]^[84]

Maintaining party status

If a party fails to field a statewide candidate who polls at least 3% of the entire vote cast for that office or fails to enroll at least 1% of all registered voters, it ceases to be recognized as a political party.^[83]

Michigan

See statutes: Michigan Election Law, Section 168.685

Political organizations seeking status as political parties must petition the secretary of state for recognition. In addition to the requisite petition, the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee of a prospective party must file a certificate signed by both the chairperson and the secretary indicating the name of the party. This paperwork must be submitted to the secretary of state by 4:00 p.m. on the 110th day preceding the general election.^[85]^[86]

Petitions must contain signatures equaling at least 1% of all votes cast for governor at the most recent gubernatorial election. Additionally, party organizers must collect at least 100 signatures in each of at least one-half of the state's congressional districts.^[85]^[86]

All signatures must be obtained no more than 180 days prior to the date of filing the petition with the secretary of state. Signatures collected before that time will not be counted. A decision regarding the sufficiency of the petition will be made no later than 60 days prior to the general election.^[85]^[86]

Maintaining party status

In order to maintain qualified status, a party's principal candidate (i.e., the party's candidate who receives the greatest number of votes of all candidates fielded by the party in a particular election) must win at least 1% of the total number of votes cast for the successful candidate for secretary of state in the most recent election for that office. A party that fails to meet this requirement must petition again for state recognition.^[85]

Minnesota

See statutes: 2024 Minnesota Statutes, Section 200.02

Minnesota recognizes two classes of political parties: major parties and minor parties.

Qualifying as a major party

A party may qualify as a major political party via one of the methods described below.^[87]

Fielding one candidate

The party must have fielded at least one candidate for any of the following offices:^[87]

Governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney general at the last preceding state general election for those offices; or
Presidential electors or United States Senator at the last preceding state general election for presidential electors

The candidate must have received votes in each county in that election. In total, the candidate must have received votes equaling at least 8% of the total number of individual votes cast in that election.^[87]

A party whose candidate meets these requirements becomes a major party as of January 1 following that election and retains such status for at least two consecutive general elections, even if the party fields a candidate who does not win the requisite votes. If the party fails in each of two consecutive general elections to field a candidate who meets these requirements, however, the party will lose major party status as of December 31 following the latter of the two elections.^[87]

Fielding a full slate of candidates

The party must have fielded at least 45 candidates for election as state representatives, 23 candidates for election as state senators, four candidates for election as congressional representatives, and one candidate for election to each of the following offices: governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor at the last preceding state general election for those offices–a total of 76 offices.^[87]

A party who fields this slate of candidates becomes a major party as of January 1 following that election and retains such status for at least two consecutive general elections, even if the party fails to field the requisite slate of candidates. If the party does not field the necessary slate of candidates for two consecutive general elections, however, the party will lose major party status as of December 31 following the latter of the two consecutive elections.^[87]

Petitioning the secretary of state for recognition

The party must present to the secretary of state a petition for a place on the state partisan primary ballot.^[87]

The petition must contain signatures equal to at least 5% of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding state general election. Signatures must be collected within a one-year period.^[87]

The petition must be submitted before the close of the filing period for the state partisan primary ballot. Upon qualifying for a place on the primary ballot, the party must field candidates via one of the two methods described above. A major political party that does not submit the required certification loses major party status on December 31 of the year in which the party did not file.^[87]

Qualifying as a minor party

A party may qualify as a minor political party via one of the methods described below.^[87]

Fielding one candidate

The party must have fielded at least one candidate for election to any of the following offices:^[87]

Governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney general at the last preceding state general election for those offices; or
Presidential electors or United States Senator at the preceding state general election for presidential electors

The candidate must have received votes in each county. In total, the candidate must have received votes equaling at least 1% of the total number of individual votes cast in the election.^[87]

A party whose candidate meets these requirements becomes a minor party as of January 1 following that election and retains such status for at least two consecutive general elections, even if the party fields a candidate who does not win the requisite votes. If the party fails in each of two consecutive general elections to field a candidate who meets these requirements, however, the party will lose minor party status as of December 31 following the latter of the two elections.^[87]

Petitioning the secretary of state for recognition

The party must present to the secretary of state a petition for a place on the general election ballot.^[87]

The petition must contain signatures equal to at least 1% of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding state general election.

The petition must be submitted before the close of the filing period for the state partisan primary ballot. Upon qualifying for a place on the general election ballot, the party must field candidates in the method described above to maintain status.^[87]

To be considered a minor party in an election in a state legislative district, the party must have fielded a candidate for legislative office in that district who won at least 10% of the total number of votes cast for that office, or the party must present the secretary of state with a petition containing signatures equaling at least 10% of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding state general election for that office.^[87]

Procedural requirements

The relevant statutes stipulate that a major political party must maintain a party organization in the state in accordance with the following requirements:^[87]^[88]

The final authority over the affairs of each major party is vested in the party's state convention, which must be held at least once every general election cycle.
Subject to the control of the state convention, the general management of party affairs is vested in the state central committee.
The state executive committee of a party is responsible for the administration of the party's affairs, subject to the direction of the state convention and state central committee.
The chair of the state central committee of each party must file a copy of the party's constitution with the secretary of state as soon as it is enacted.

Similarly, a minor party must submit a certification to the secretary of state by December 31 each general election year demonstrating that it has adopted a state constitution, designated a state party chair, and held a state convention in the last two years.^[87]

Major parties must nominate their candidates for office by primary election. Minor parties are not entitled to participate in primary elections and instead must field candidates via nominating petitions.^[89]

Mississippi

See statutes: Title 23, Chapter 15, Article 35 of the Mississippi Code

Mississippi does not require aspirant parties to submit petitions, pay fees, or win a minimum number of votes to maintain recognized status.

The chairman of the state executive committee of a political party must submit an application for registration of the political party to the secretary of state within 30 days of party organization in order to be recognized. The registration must designate the name of the political party and the names of all organizations officially sanctioned by the party. No political party is permitted to use or register a name that is the same as or "deceptively similar to" the name of a political body or officially sanctioned organization that has already registered with the secretary of state.^[90]

The application for registration must be accompanied by an affidavit that includes the following information:^[91]

names of the members of the state executive committee
names of the chairman and secretary of the committee
names of national committeeman and committeewoman
names of officers
a statement verifying that the executive committee and all officers were elected in accordance with the provisions of Section 23-15-1053 of the Mississippi Code.
- According to Section 23-15-1053 of the Mississippi Code, the state executive committee of each political party may determine the method and procedures by which state executive committee and county executive committee members are selected, provided that these methods and procedures are in accordance with applicable federal laws and national party rules. The state executive committee of a party must establish these procedures at least 90 days prior to their implementation. A copy of any rule or regulation adopted by the state executive committee must be submitted to the secretary of state within seven days after its adoption. These rules and regulations are a matter of public record.^[92]

Missouri

See statutes: Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 115.315

Any group of individuals desiring to form a new political party, either throughout the state or for any congressional or state legislative district, must petition the secretary of state for recognition. Each page of such a petition must clearly state the intention to form a new political party and must indicate in no more than five words the name of the proposed party. Petitioners must also provide a complete list of the names and addresses of the chairman and treasurer of the party. The chairman and treasurer must also submit a certified list of the names and addresses of all the party's candidates and the office being sought by each.^[93]^[94]

If the party is being formed for the entire state, the petition must be signed by at least 10,000 registered voters. If the new party is being formed for a district, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the district equal to at least 2% of the total number of voters who voted at the last election for candidates for the office being sought, or 10,000 registered voters, whichever is less.^[93]

New party formation petitions must be submitted no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on the day immediately following the general election next preceding the general election for which the petition is submitted and no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 15th Monday preceding the general election for which the petition is submitted.^[95]

Nominating candidates

Upon filing a party formation petition, party officers must submit a list of the party's candidates and declarations of candidacy for each. The party is entitled to nominate its candidates in the manner prescribed in the party's bylaws. Thereafter, nominations must be made via primary.^[94]^[96]

Procedural requirements

A party committee can adopt a constitution or bylaws or both, provided such constitution or bylaws do not contain provisions that conflict with state laws. Changes to party rules can require no more than a two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of a committee.^[97]

Maintaining party status

In order to maintain recognized status, a state-level party must have polled for its candidate for any statewide office more than 2% of the total number of votes cast for that office at either of the last two general elections.^[98]

A district-level party must have polled more than 2% of the entire vote cast at either of the last two general elections in which the district voted as a unit for the election of officers or representatives.^[98]

Montana

See statutes: Title 13 of the Montana Code

In Montana, a party qualifying petition must be signed by a number of registered voters equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast for the successful candidate for governor in the most recent general election, or 5,000 electors, whichever is less. This number must include registered voters in at least one-third of the state legislative districts, equaling at least 5% of the total votes cast for the successful gubernatorial candidate at the last general election in those districts, or 150 electors in those districts, whichever is less. The form of the petition is prescribed by the secretary of state.^[99]

Four weeks before the petition is due to the secretary of state, the petition and affidavits of circulation must be presented to the election administrator of the county in which the signatures were gathered to be verified.^[99] The election administrator must forward the verified petition to the secretary of state at least 95 days before the date of the primary.^[100]

Maintaining party status

According to Montana Code Section 13-10-601, "Each political party that had a candidate for a statewide office in either of the last two general elections who received a total vote that was 5% or more of the total votes cast for the most recent successful candidate for governor shall nominate its candidates for public office, except for presidential electors, by a primary election[.]"^[101]

Nebraska

See statutes: Chapter 32, Sections 716 - 717 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes

New political parties must petition the Nebraska Secretary of State for recognition.^[102]

The petition must contain signatures equaling at least 1% of the total votes cast for governor at the most recent general election. Further, according to state law, the "signatures of registered voters on such petitions shall be so distributed as to include registered voters totaling at least one percent of the votes cast for Governor in the most recent gubernatorial election in each of the three congressional districts in this state." ^[102]

If the party wishes to participate in the state primary, the petition must be submitted by January 15 of the election year. If the party wishes to participate in the general election, the petition must be submitted by July 15 of the election year.^[102]

Prior to the circulation of petitions to form a new political party, a sample copy of the petitions must be filed with the secretary of state by the person, group, or association seeking to establish the new party. The sample petition must be accompanied by the name and address of the person or the names and addresses of the members of the group or association sponsoring the petition to form a new political party.^[102]

The secretary of state must determine within 20 business days whether the petition is valid and sufficient. If so, the secretary of state will issue a certification establishing the new party. Within the next 20 days, the party must submit its constitution and bylaws, as well as a certified list of the names and addresses of the party's new officers.^[103]

Once a party gains access to the ballot, it must continue to meet one of the following criteria to maintain access: either "the political party has at least ten thousand persons affiliated as indicated by voter registration records in Nebraska" or "at one of the two immediately preceding statewide general elections, (i) a candidate nominated by the political party polled at least five percent of the entire vote in the state in a statewide race or (ii) a combination of candidates nominated by the political party for a combination of districts that encompass all of the voters of the entire state polled at least five percent of the vote in each of their respective districts."^[104]

Nevada

See statutes: Title 24, Chapter 293 of the Nevada Revised Statutes

Qualifying a minor party

There are four steps a political entity must take to qualify as a minor party in Nevada.^[105]^[106]

First, the minor party must file a certificate of existence with the Nevada Secretary of State, along with a copy of the minor party's constitution or bylaws. The certificate of existence must include the following information:

the name of the political party
the names of its officers
the names of its executive committee members
the name of the person authorized to file the list of the party's candidates with the Nevada Secretary of State

The party's constitution or bylaws must provide a procedure to nominate candidates. Only one candidate may be nominated per office. Any changes to the information provided on the original certificate of existence must be filed on an amended certificate of existence within five days of the change.^[106]^[105]

Second, the minor party must prove it has voter support. This is done by circulating a petition to collect signatures from registered voters equal in number to 1% of the total votes cast at the last general election for United States Representative in all four districts of the state (petition signatures "must be apportioned equally among the petition districts").^[105] In order to qualify in this manner, a copy of the qualifying petition must be filed with the Nevada Secretary of State before it can be circulated. According to the Nevada secretary of state's office:^[106]

“

A minor political party will be granted ballot access for the general election, if:

At the last preceding general election, the minor political party received for any of its candidates 1% or more of the total votes cast for the offices of Representative in Congress NRS 293.1715(2)(a);
On January 1, preceding a primary election, at least 1% of the total number of registered voters in Nevada have designated the minor political party on applications to register to vote NRS 293.1715(2)(b); or
On June 1, preceding the primary election, the minor party has submitted a petition for minor party ballot access containing valid signatures equal to 1% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general election for the offices of Representative in Congress with the appropriate County Clerk/Registrar of Voters for signature verification NRS 293.1715(2)(c) and NRS 293.172(1)(c).
- If June 1 falls on a weekend, the due date is the first Monday is June^[9]

”

Third, the minor party must file a list of candidates with the Nevada Secretary of State for the general election ballot. This list must be signed in the presence of a notary public and filed by the person designated to do so on the certificate of existence during the candidate filing period. Minor party candidates cannot file until this list is submitted.^[106]^[107]

If a minor party does not file a list of candidates, the party must file a notice of continued existence with the Nevada Secretary of State by the second Friday in August before the general election. If this is not filed, the minor party will no longer be recognized by the state.^[106]

A minor party can maintain its party status in one of two ways:

if at the previous general election, the minor party’s candidate received 1% or more of the total votes cast for United States Representative, in any one of the four districts in the state.^[106]
if 1% of the total number of registered voters in Nevada designated affiliation with the minor party on their voter registration applications as of January 1 preceding the primary election.^[106]

Qualifying a major party

The process to qualify a major party is very similar to that used for minor parties. A certificate of existence must be filed, along with the party's constitution or bylaws. A party must meet one of the following criteria in order to qualify as a major party:^[108]

10% or more of registered voters have affiliated with the major party on their voter registration applications by January 1 preceding the primary election.
The major party files a petition containing signatures from registered voters equal to at least 10% or more of the total number of votes cast at the last general election for United States Representative with the Nevada Secretary of State.

New Hampshire

See statutes: New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Title LXIII, Section 652:11; New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Title LXIII, Section 655:40-a

Recognition requirements

In New Hampshire, a recognized political party is defined as any political organization that, at the last state general election, won at least 4% of the total number of votes cast for either governor or United States Senator.^[109]

Any political organization may petition to have its name printed on the general election ballot. Petition papers must include the name of the political organization and must be signed by individuals who are registered to vote at the general election. No one can sign more than one nomination paper that grants a political organization access to the state's general election ballot. The organization must collect valid signatures equal to at least 3% of the total votes cast at the previous state general election.^[110]^[111]

The chairman of the political organization must file a declaration of intent within the filing period (i.e., between the first Wednesday in June and the Friday of the following week). Petition papers must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday one week prior to the primary election.^[112]^[113]

Selecting candidates

Recognized political parties are required to nominate their candidates by primary elections.^[114]

The chairman of a political organization must, at the time a declaration of intent is filed, submit a list of the offices for which the organization intends to field candidates and the names of the candidates for those offices. Each candidate must also file a declaration of candidacy. In the event that the organization does not qualify to have its name printed on the general election ballot, any accompanying declarations of candidacy will be deemed void.^[115]

Procedural requirements

No earlier than the third Tuesday of September following a primary election and no later than the last Tuesday of October, the party must hold a state convention for the purpose of adopting a party platform, nominating presidential electors, and establishing a party organization for the succeeding two-year period. A party may provide for an alternative method for determining the date, call, or purpose of the state convention and the selection of delegates, according to the party's constitution or bylaws.^[116]

Maintaining party status

In order for a political party to maintain recognized status, it must have won at least 4% of the total number of votes cast for either governor or United States Senator at the last state general election.^[109]

New Jersey

See statutes: Title 19 of the New Jersey Permanent Statutes

The New Jersey statutes define a political party as "a party which, at the election held for all of the members of the General Assembly next preceding the holding of any primary election held pursuant to this Title, polled for members of the General Assembly at least 10% of the total vote cast in this State."^[117]

Certification

In order to qualify as a certified political party in New Jersey, candidates with the party designation must receive at least 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding election for members of the New Jersey General Assembly.^[118]

Candidates who file a petition with a designation must state in no more than three words the designation of the party or principles which they represent. The petition must also request that the names of the candidates and their party/principle designations be printed upon the general election ballot.^[119]

A party that meets the above requirements will be recognized by the state. A party may then nominate candidates via primary elections. A party must continue to meet the above stated vote thresholds in order to maintain qualified status.^[120]

New Mexico

See statutes: New Mexico Statutes Chapter 1, Article 7

Definitions

According to New Mexico Statutes § 1-7-7:^[121]

“

A. "major political party" means any qualified political party, any of whose candidates received as many as five percent of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general election for the office of governor or president of the United States, as the case may be, and whose membership totals not less than one-third of one percent of the statewide registered voter file on the day of the governor's primary election proclamation; and

B. "minor political party" means any qualified political party that is not qualified as a major political party pursuant to Subsection A of this section.^[9]

”

Nominating candidates

 Major political parties must nominate candidates via primary. Minor political parties must nominate candidates as prescribed in their party rules and regulations, whether by convention or other method.^[122]^[123]^[124]

Qualifications for a new political party

To qualify as a political party, a party must adopt rules through its governing body providing for its organization and government. These rules must be filed with the secretary of state. County party organizations must also adopt uniform rules throughout the state and file those rules with county clerks.^[125]

Along with the state party rules, the party's governing body must also file a petition with the secretary of state. This petition must include a number of valid signatures equaling at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast for governor at the preceding general election.^[125]

Each political party must file its rules and petition within 30 days of its organization and no later than 23 days after the primary before the general election in which it intends to participate.^[126]

No amendments can be made to political party rules less than 120 days before a general election, and no amendment will be effective until 30 days after being filed. Amendments must be filed in the same manner as original party rules and regulations.^[127]

Retaining status

A political party will lose its qualified status if it fails to place a candidate on the ballot for two elections in a row, or if it runs a candidate for either governor or president and that candidate fails to receive at least 0.5% of the total vote in the general election.^[128]

New York

See statutes: Article 6, Section 128 of the New York Election Law

In New York, a political party is defined as any political organization whose candidate for governor or president at the last preceding election won at least 2% of all votes cast for the office, or 130,000 votes, whichever is greater. New York does not provide a process for political organizations to gain qualified status in advance of an election. Instead, political organizations seeking party status must run a candidate for governor or president via the independent nomination process (click here for more information). The organization may denote its name on the nominating petition; the organization's name will then appear alongside the candidate's name on the ballot. The name selected must be rendered in English and cannot suggest similarity to an existing party or a political organization that has already filed. If at the general election the organization's candidate for meets the aforementioned threshold, the organization will then be recognized by the state as a political party.^[129]^[130]^[131]

Procedural requirements

State laws stipulate that a party must form state and county committees. At their discretion and in accordance with their own rules, parties may also form other committees. Committees may prepare rules for governing the party within the committee's political unit (i.e., state or county). Within 10 days of adopting or amending any rule, a certified copy of the rule must be filed with the state board of elections and, in the case of county committees, the applicable county board of elections.^[132]^[133]

First nominations by a newly recognized party

The first nominations made by a newly qualified political party (i.e., nominations for elections up to and including the first general election occurring after the party first qualifies) must be made in accordance with the party's rules. Certificates of nomination must be filed in the same manner as designating petitions (click here for more information).^[134]

Thereafter, provided it maintains qualified status, the party must nominate candidates for office via primary election.^[135]

Maintaining party status

In order to maintain qualified status, political parties must field candidates for governor or president in each gubernatorial or presidential election who win at least 2% of all votes cast for the office, or 130,000 votes, whichever is greater. In the event that a party's candidate fails to win the requisite votes, the party's voters are unenrolled, and the party must re-qualify.^[129]^[136]

North Carolina

See statutes: Chapter 163, Article 9, Section 96 of the North Carolina General Statutes

In North Carolina, a political party is defined as any of the following:^[137]

“

(1) Any group of voters which, at the last preceding general State election, polled for its candidate for Governor, or for presidential electors, at least two percent (2%) of the entire vote cast in the State for Governor or for presidential electors.

(2) Any group of voters which shall have filed with the State Board of Elections petitions for the formulation of a new political party which are signed by registered and qualified voters in this State equal in number to one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the total number of voters who voted in the most recent general election for Governor. Also the petition must be signed by at least 200 registered voters from each of three congressional districts in North Carolina. To be effective, the petitioners must file their petitions with the State Board of Elections before 12:00 noon on the first day of June preceding the day on which is to be held the first general State election in which the new political party desires to participate. The State Board of Elections shall forthwith determine the sufficiency of petitions filed with it and shall immediately communicate its determination to the State chair of the proposed new political party.

(3) Any group of voters which shall have filed with the State Board of Elections documentation that the group of voters had a candidate nominated by that group on the general election ballot of at least seventy percent (70%) of the states in the prior Presidential election. To be effective, the group must file their documentation with the State Board of Elections before 12:00 noon on the first day of June preceding the day on which is to be held the first general State election in which the new political party desires to participate. The State Board of Elections shall forthwith verify the documentation filed with it and shall immediately communicate its determination to the State chair of the proposed new political party.^[9]

”

Petitions must include the name of the proposed political party, which may not be similar to that of an existing political party. Petitions must be presented to the chairman of the county board of elections for verification 15 days before they are due to the state board of elections.^[137]

In the first general election after a party qualifies, it must select its nominees for the general election by party convention.^[138]

North Dakota

See statutes: Section 16.1-11-30 of the North Dakota Century Code

In North Dakota, a political party may nominate statewide and legislative candidates to the consolidated primary ballot once it has:^[139]^[140]

“

1. Organized according to all requirements of [chapter 16.1-03];

2. Had printed on the ballot at the last preceding general election the names of a set of presidential electors pledged to the election of the party's candidate for president and vice president, a candidate for governor, a candidate for attorney general, or a candidate for secretary of state and those candidates for presidential electors, governor, attorney general, or secretary of state received at least five percent of the total vote cast for presidential electors, the office of governor, attorney general, or secretary of state within this state at that election and organized according to all requirements of this chapter; or

3. Filed a petition with the secretary of state signed by the number of electors required under section 16.1-11-30 to qualify to endorse candidates or to have candidates petition to be included on the primary election ballot in a consolidated column or on a special election ballot.^[9]

”

According to section 16.1-11-30, any political organization that has not organized under chapter 16.1-03 or did not receive at least 5% of the vote for presidential electors, governor, attorney general, or secretary of state at the preceding general election is "entitled to endorse candidates or have candidates petition to be included on the primary ballot in a separate section of the consolidated primary election ballot, if a petition signed by at least seven thousand qualified electors of this state is filed with the secretary of state[.]" In order to qualify for such ballot access, the political organization must file a petition with the secretary of state before 4:00 p.m. on the 64th day prior to the primary election. This petition must include the name of the political organization, the party's platform principles, and the names of candidates to be included on the state's primary ballot. The petition must be signed by 7,000 qualified state electors.^[139]^[141]

Maintaining party status

To maintain qualified status, a party must have fielded a candidate who won at least 5% of the vote for one of the following offices at the most recent election for such office: president, governor, secretary of state, or attorney general. Otherwise, the party must re-petition for ballot access.^[142]

Ohio

See statutes: Title 35, Chapter 3517, Section 01 of the Ohio Revised Code

According to Section 3517.01 of the Ohio Code:^[143]

“

(A)(1) A political party within the meaning of Title XXXV of the Revised Code is any group of voters that meets either of the following requirements:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, at the most recent regular state election, the group polled for its candidate for governor in the state or nominees for presidential electors at least three per cent of the entire vote cast for that office. A group that meets the requirements of this division remains a political party for a period of four years after meeting those requirements.

(b) The group filed with the secretary of state, subsequent to its failure to meet the requirements of division (A)(1)(a) of this section, a party formation petition that meets all of the following requirements:

(i) The petition is signed by qualified electors equal in number to at least one per cent of the total vote for governor or nominees for presidential electors at the most recent election for such office.

(ii) The petition is signed by not fewer than five hundred qualified electors from each of at least a minimum of one-half of the congressional districts in this state. If an odd number of congressional districts exists in this state, the number of districts that results from dividing the number of congressional districts by two shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

(iii) The petition declares the petitioners' intention of organizing a political party, the name of which shall be stated in the declaration, and of participating in the succeeding general election, held in even-numbered years, that occurs more than one hundred twenty-five days after the date of filing.

(iv) The petition designates a committee of not less than three nor more than five individuals of the petitioners, who shall represent the petitioners in all matters relating to the petition. Notice of all matters or proceedings pertaining to the petition may be served on the committee, or any of them, either personally or by registered mail, or by leaving such notice at the usual place of residence of each of them.

(2) No such group of electors shall assume a name or designation that is similar, in the opinion of the secretary of state, to that of an existing political party as to confuse or mislead the voters at an election.^[9]

”

Oklahoma

See statutes: Title 26, Chapter 1 of the Oklahoma Code

Gaining status

The first step in forming a new political party in Oklahoma is to file a "notice of intent" form with the Oklahoma State Election Board. This form can be filed at any time except between March 1 and November 15 of even-numbered years.^[144]

Once the notice of intent form is filed, the new political party must circulate a qualifying petition to collect signatures from registered voters equaling at least 3% of the total number of votes cast in the last general election for governor. The qualifying petition can be circulated for up to one year after a notice of intent is filed, but it cannot be circulated between March 1 and November 15 of any even-numbered year. To qualify as a political party in time to access the ballot in an election year, the petition must be filed by March 1 of that year. If the Oklahoma State Election Board finds that the qualifying petition contains a sufficient number of valid signatures, the political party will be officially recognized by the state. An officially recognized political party may nominate candidates via primary election.^[144]^[145]

Maintaining status

To maintain recognized status, a political party's candidate must have received at least 2.5% of the vote for any statewide office in either of the last two general elections. If a party fails to meet this requirement, the party will cease to be recognized by the state. A political party that has lost its recognition is considered a political organization. In order to be recognized again, the political organization must re-qualify by following the procedures described above. A political organization designation terminates after four years unless the organization re-qualifies as a political party.^[146]

Oregon

See statutes: Chapter 248, Section 008 of the Oregon Revised Statutes

In order to qualify as a new minor party, a group of electors must file with the secretary of state a petition with signatures equaling at least 1.5% of the total votes cast for all candidates for governor at the most recent election at which a candidate for governor was elected to a full term.^[147]

The petition must state the intention to form a new party and provide a designation for the party. Before circulating, the petition's sponsor must file with the secretary of state a signed copy of the prospective petition. The completed petition must be filed no later than two years after the date the prospective petition is filed.^[147]

According to Oregon Revised Statutes Section 248.008, in order to maintain qualified minor party status, a party meet the following thresholds:^[147]

“

(a) Following each general election, at any time during the period beginning on the date of the next primary election and ending on the 90th day before the next general election, a number of electors equal to at least one-quarter of one percent of the total number of registered electors in this state must be registered as members of the party; or

(b)(A) Following each general election, at any time during the period beginning on the date of the next primary election and ending on the 90th day before the next general election, a number of electors equal to at least one-tenth of one percent of the total votes cast in the state or electoral district for all candidates for Governor at the most recent election at which a candidate for Governor was elected to a full term must be registered as members of the party; and

(B) At least once in a four-year period, a candidate or candidates of the party must poll at least one percent of the total votes cast in the electoral district for all candidates for:

(i) Presidential elector at the last general election at which candidates for President and Vice President of the United States were listed on the ballot; or

(ii) Any single state office to be voted upon in the state at large for which nominations by political parties are permitted by law at the most recent election at which a candidate for the office was elected to a full term.^[9]

”

A minor party is required to file a copy of its organizational documents with the filing officer (i.e., the secretary of state) no later than 30 days after they are adopted by the party. All minor parties select candidates for office by nominating convention. Only major parties as defined by the state may participate in primaries.^[148]

Pennsylvania

See statutes: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 25 Chapter 11 Section 2; Pennsylvania Election Code Article IX

According to Pennsylvania law, a political party is defined as any of the following:^[149]

“

(1) A party or political body, one of whose candidates at the general election immediately preceding the primary:

(i) polled, in each of at least ten counties, at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast in the county for any elected candidate; and

(ii) polled a total vote in this Commonwealth equal to at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast in this Commonwealth for any elected candidate.

(2) A party or political body, one of whose candidates at either the general or municipal election preceding the primary polled at least 5% of the largest entire vote cast for any elected candidate in any county. ^[9]

”

Political parties whose statewide voter registration is less than 15% of the combined registration for all statewide political parties are classified as minor political parties. Minor political parties are not eligible to participate in primaries and may only field candidates for the general election via nomination papers (Click here for more information).^[150]

Political parties whose statewide registration is 15% or greater of the combined statewide registration for all statewide political parties nominate their candidates for office via primary.^[151]

Any group of voters that does not qualify as a political party is considered a political body. Candidates running for office as affiliates of a political body may designate the body in no more than three words on their nomination papers. Political body designations will appear on the ballot alongside the candidate's name.^[152]^[153]^[154]

Rhode Island

See statutes: R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-1-2

A political party in Rhode Island is defined as any one of the following:^[155]

Any political organization that at the most recent general election for general officers (e.g., governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, etc.) nominated a candidate for governor who received at least 5% of the total number of votes cast for that office.
Any political organization that at the most recent presidential election nominated a candidate for president who received at least 5% of the total number of votes cast in the state for that office.
Any political organization that petitions for recognition as a political party.

An organization petitioning for recognition as a political party must collect signatures from registered, qualified voters equaling at least 5% of the total number of votes cast for governor or president at the last immediately preceding general election. Signatures cannot be collected prior to January 1 of the year in which the organization desires ballot access as a political party. An organization qualifying as a political party by the petition process will only be qualified during the year in which it obtained signatures. At the time the organization submits petitions, it must also file with the board of elections a form including the name of the organization and the names and addresses of its chairperson and secretary. To maintain recognition, the organization must field a candidate for governor or president who wins at least 5% of the total number of votes cast in the state for those offices.^[155]^[156]

If the organization intends to nominate candidates by primary election, completed petitions must be submitted to the appropriate local boards of canvassers by June 1 of the election year. If the organization intends to nominate candidates by another method, petitions must be submitted by August 1 of the election year.^[155]

An independent candidate for governor or president may establish a political party by receiving 5% of the total number of votes cast in the state for those offices only if the candidate indicated at the time of filing for office to the secretary of state the intention to establish a political party (the candidate must provide the secretary of state with the name of the prospective party and the names and addresses of the organization's chairperson and secretary).^[157]

Selecting candidates

Recognized political parties nominate their candidates for office by primary election. Parties qualifying by the petition process may opt to nominate candidates by another method (e.g., convention) in the first year that they qualify for recognized status.^[155]^[158]

Maintaining party status

In order to maintain qualified status, a party must field a candidate for governor or president who receives at least 5% of the total number of votes cast in the state for those offices. If a party fails to do so, it will cease to be recognized as a political party.^[155]

South Carolina

See statutes: Title 7, Chapter 9, Title 7, Chapter 11 of the South Carolina Code of Laws

A political party is defined as "a political party, organization, or association certified by the state election commission."^[159]

General requirements

Political parties desiring to nominate candidates for offices to be voted on in a general or special election must, before doing so, petition the state election commission for certification no later than six months before the election.^[160]

A petition for the certification of a new political party must be signed by 10,000 or more registered electors residing in South Carolina. The petition must provide the name of the party, which must be substantially different from the name of any other party previously certified.^[161]

In order for any political party to retain certification status in the state, it must perform the following organizational tasks as required by law:

New political parties must organize at the precinct level by holding county conventions before March 31 in each general election year during a month determined by the state committee.^[160]^[162]
New political parties must organize and hold a state convention before May 15 in every general election year on a day and at a time fixed by the state committee and announced publicly at least 10 days before the meeting.^[163]
New political parties must nominate candidates for national, state, multi-county district, countywide, or less than countywide office by either convention or party primary.^[164]
New political parties must certify their candidates in at least one of two consecutive general elections held in November in an even-numbered year or in any other election which might be held within the period of time intervening between the two general elections.^[165]

South Dakota

See statutes: Title 12, Chapter 12-5 of South Dakota Codified Law

A political party in South Dakota is defined as a "party whose candidate for any statewide office received at least two and one-half percent of the total votes cast for that statewide office in either of the two previous general elections."^[166]

Party certification

A new political party may be organized and participate in the primary election by filing a petition with the secretary of state no later than the last Tuesday of March at 5 p.m. prior to the date of the primary election.^[167]

A new political party must submit a written declaration signed by registered voters equaling at least 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election. The declaration must contain the following information:^[167]

the name of the proposed party
a brief statement of the party's principles

Constitution and bylaws

A political party must also adopt a constitution or a set of bylaws to govern its organization and the conduct of its affairs. The party's constitution and bylaws must not be inconsistent with laws of South Dakota. The party central committee must file with the secretary of state a copy of the document and amendments within 30 days of their approval.^[168]

Tennessee

See statutes: Chapter 2-13, Chapter 2-1, and Chapter 2-5 of the Tennessee Code

The Tennessee Code makes the distinction between a "statewide political party" and a "recognized minor party." A recognized minor party means any group or association that has successfully petitioned by filing with the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections a petition that conforms to requirements established by the code. Those requirements include submitting a petition with signatures equaling 2.5 percent of the total number of votes cast for governor at the last gubernatorial election. A "statewide political party" means a political party that had at least one "whose candidates for an office to be elected by voters of the entire state has received a number of votes equal to at least five percent (5%) of the total number of votes cast for gubernatorial candidates in the most recent election of governor." A statewide political party has automatic access to the ballot.^[169]

Minor party recognition

In order to become a recognized minor party, a petition must be submitted to the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections and must include the following:

the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 2.5 percent of the total number of votes cast for gubernatorial candidates in the most recent election for governor^[169]
the petition's purpose, the party's name, and signatures of registered voters from a single county^[169]

Petitions are not issued more than 90 days before the qualifying deadline. The coordinator of elections has the power to determine the start date for the issuance of petitions.^[170]

No political party may have nominees on a ballot, or exercise any of the rights of political parties, until its officers have filed the following with the secretary of state and with the coordinator of elections:

an affidavit under oath that the party does not advocate the overthrow of local, state, or national government by force or violence and that it is not affiliated with any organization that does advocate such a policy
a copy of the rules under which the party and its subdivisions operate; copies of amendments or additions to the rules must be filed with the secretary of state and with the coordinator of elections within 30 days after they are adopted and cannot take effect until 10 days after they are filed^[171]

Once a non-recognized minor party submits the petition containing the required number of signatures, the party will become an officially recognized minor party. To retain access to the ballot in subsequent election cycles, a statewide candidate for that party must win five percent of the total number of votes cast for that office.^[169]

Texas

See statutes: Section 181 of the Texas Election Code

A person desiring to form a political party in Texas must form an organization and elect a chair and other necessary officers. The organization's name cannot exceed three words.^[172]

A political party is required to meet organizational requirements before holding its nominating conventions. A new political party is required to submit its party rules to the secretary of state by a given date. These rules are required to prescribe the following:

the parliamentary procedure governing the conduct of party meetings and conventions from the precinct level to the state level
the method of selecting the party's presidential elector candidates
the manner of selecting party officers, convention delegates, convention alternates and convention officials
the manner of adopting party rules and amendments to the rules^[172]

A political party making state nominations is required to establish a state executive committee. All party rules, temporary or permanent, must be posted on the state party's website.^[172]

Convention requirements for minor parties

Minor parties nominating via convention are required to hold the following conventions:

precinct conventions
county conventions
district conventions
state conventions

The chair of each convention will certify the nominees to the county election officer (in the case of county or precinct offices) or the secretary of state (in the case of district or statewide offices) no later than 20 days after each corresponding convention.^[172]

Ballot access

To be entitled to place its nominees on the general election ballot, a minor party must first file a list of precinct convention participants with the secretary of state by a given date. The number of participants must equal at one percent of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election.

If the number of precinct convention participants is lower than the number required for the political party to qualify to have the names of its nominees placed on the ballot, the party may qualify by filing a petition containing signatures in a number that—when added to the number of convention participants indicated on the lists—equals at least 1 percent of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election. This petition must be filed with the secretary of state by the state party chair before the deadline for filing the lists of precinct convention participants.^[173]

A political party is entitled to have the names of its nominees placed on the ballot in each subsequent general election following a general election in which the party had a nominee for a statewide office who received a number of votes equal to at least five percent of the total number of votes received by all candidates for that office.^[174]

Utah

See statutes: Title 20A-8 of the Utah Election Code

In Utah, there are two types of political parties: registered parties and qualified parties. These types of parties differ in how they nominate candidates for placement on the primary ballot. The candidate of a registered party must petition for placement on the primary ballot. The candidate of a qualified party can either petition for placement on the primary ballot or be nominated for placement at a party convention.

An organization of voters can seek to become a registered political party by submitting a petition to the lieutenant governor's office. The petition must be signed by at least 2,000 registered voters. The petition must also contain a statement declaring the name of the political party. The petition, in addition to the required signatures, must also contain the proposed party's name, which must not exceed four words, and party emblem. The party name and emblem must also be distinguishable from the names and emblems of other political parties.^[175]^[176]^[177]^[178]

A qualified political party must meet the requirements of Utah Code 20A-9-406. A qualified party must allow "its candidates to pursue the party’s nomination by going through the party’s convention system and/or by gathering petition signatures. Conversely, a Registered Political Party’s candidates can pursue the party’s nomination only by gathering petition signatures."^[179]^[180]

Maintaining party status

In order to retain registered and qualified political party status, one or more of the party's candidates for any office must win at least two percent or more of the total votes cast for all candidates for the United States House of Representatives in the same regular general election.^[181]^[182]

Vermont

See statutes: Title 17-45 of the Vermont Election Law

In order to organize a recognized political party in Vermont, in each odd-numbered year, voters must organize a political party at the town, county, and state levels. A major political party must organize at all three levels, while a minor political party is not required to organize at the county level.^[183] Parties must meet organizational and filing requirements in order to be recognized by the state as a political party.^[184]

Definitions

According to 17 V.S.A. § 2103:^[185]

“

“Political party” is any group of individuals that has organized and filed its certificate of organization with the Secretary of State, pursuant to chapter 45 of this title.

(A) A “major political party” is a political party whose candidate for any State office in the most recent general election polled at least five percent of the vote cast for that office.

(B) A “minor political party” is any political party that is not a major political party.^[9]

”

Organizing a new party

Town caucuses

To begin organizing a minor party at the town level, three interested voters in a Vermont town who seek to organize a party must designate one of their own as the town party chair. The town chair must then set the date, place, time, and purpose of the town caucus. At least five days before the day of the caucus, the town chair must post a notice of the caucus in the town clerk's office and in at least one other public place in town. In towns with populations greater than 5,000, the town chair must also publish a notice in a newspaper having general circulation in the town.^[186]

The caucus must be held in a public place within the town. Although "public place" is not defined in the law, the caucus can be held at any stated location where the general public is welcome. It should be a place that is both familiar to voters in town and accessible to them. In very small towns, a house can be used, if it is familiar and accessible to voters and if no other public space is available.^[186]

Town committees

At a town caucus, voters of the party in the town will meet and proceed to elect a town committee to serve for the following two years or until their successors are elected. The most recent town checklist should be used to determine who may participate. There is no set number of committee members. The number is determined by each town caucus. Election to the town committee gives members the right to vote on matters before the committee.^[187]

The officers of the town committee must include a chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer. They need not be elected members of the town committee to be elected as officers, although they become members after they are elected. Each officer position must be filled. There must be at least three voters present at a caucus to create a committee. A person may serve in more than one office, but the same person cannot serve as chair and vice-chair, or as treasurer and vice-treasurer. If there is a contest for nomination, recommendation, or election to any office or position at any committee level, the law requires that a secret ballot be used.^[188]^[189]

Immediately after the town committee has been elected, the first meeting of the town committee must be held.^[190]

The principal responsibility of the town committee is to elect officers and to elect delegates to the state committee if the party seeks minor political party status.

Within 72 hours of the town caucus, the chair and secretary of the town committee must mail a copy of the notice calling the caucus and a certified list of names and addresses of officers and members of the town committee to the following individuals:

secretary of state
state party chair
town clerk

County committees

A minor party can choose not to organize at the county level and send delegates from town committees directly to a state committee. However, if a minor party desires to nominate state senate candidates, the party must organize at the county level. At least two members of a county committee may be elected by each town committee.^[191]

Notice of the meeting must be published in at least two newspapers with general circulation in the state. The county chair elected by the town committees will set the hour and place of the meeting and will notify all delegates by mail no less than 10 days before the meeting. The number of delegates to the county committee that each town caucus elects is apportioned by the State committee based upon the number of votes cast for the party’s candidate for Governor in the last election. Delegates to the state committee include the chair of the county committee, and at least two additional members elected by the county committee. Elected delegates need not be county committee members, although they must be voters of the county.^[192]^[193]^[194]

Within 72 hours of the first meeting of the county committee, its chair and secretary must mail a copy of the notice calling the meeting and a certified list of the names and mailing addresses of the officers of the county committee and the delegates to the state committee to the following individuals:

secretary of state
county clerk
state party chair

A county committee is not considered organized until it has filed the material required with these officials.^[195]^[196]

State committees

The state committee must meet at a time, place, and date set by the state chair. The state chair is required to notify all members of the state committee in writing at least 10 days before the meeting date. The state committee of the party also elects officers.^[197]^[198]

Within 10 days of the first meeting of the state committee, the chair and secretary must file the certification form stating that the party has elected officers and completed its organization. The certificate must include the names and addresses of all the officers and all members of the state committee. A copy of the notice calling the first meeting of the state committee must also be filed with this certification. The rules or by-laws of the state party must also be filed. The secretary of state will notify all state chairs when their filings are complete or, if they are incomplete, what is needed to complete certification.^[199]^[200]

Filing deadline

The chair and secretary of the party's state committee must file a certificate of organization by January 1 of the year of the election stating that the party has completed its organization for the ensuing two years, that it has organized in at least 30 towns in Vermont, and has complied with the organizational requirements of the law.^[201]^[202]^[202]

Nominations

Major political parties nominate candidates to the general election ballot by primary.^[203]

Minor political parties nominate candidates to the general election ballot by party committee.^[204]

Virginia

See statutes: Title 24.2, Chapter 5, of the Election Code of Virginia.

A political party in Virginia is defined as an organization of citizens that, at either of the two preceding statewide general elections, received at least 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for any statewide office filled in that election.^[205]

Recognition process

A political party becomes officially recognized when one of its candidates for statewide offices receives at least 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for that office. Before this, however, there are organizational steps a party must take:

A group of petitioners may utilize a selected party name on the ballot. The petitioners must organize a state central committee comprising one registered voter from each congressional district in Virginia and two from the Commonwealth at large. The party must adopt a party plan and bylaws. The party must also have a designated chairman and secretary for at least six months prior to filing the petition.^[206]
The party name cannot be identical or substantially similar to the name of any qualified, officially recognized political party.^[207]
After meeting the above criteria, this non-recognized political party can have its party label appear next to the name of a candidate running for federal or state office.^[208]
In order to nominate a statewide candidate and seek official ballot status, a petition must be signed by 10,000 qualified voters. The petition must also be signed by 400 qualified voters from each congressional district. The petition must be signed by petitioners on and after January 1 of the year of the election only.^[208]
The petition must be filed with the state board of elections by noon of the 74th day before the election. ^[209]

Washington

See statutes: Chapter 29A.80 of the Washington Election Code

In Washington, the top-two primary system allows candidates to list any party as the party that they prefer. Thus, major parties and minor party candidates are not required to conduct conventions or collect signatures to qualify for the ballot. Washington state law does not dictate how political parties conduct their nominations, and the parties may decide for themselves how to conduct their nominations. A "major political party" is defined as a political party whose nominees for president and vice president received at least 5 percent of the total number of votes cast at the last presidential election. A "minor political party" is a political organization other than a major political party.^[210]^[211]^[212]

West Virginia

See statutes: Chapter 3 of the West Virginia Code

In West Virginia, a political party is any affiliation of voters representing any principle or organization which, at the last preceding general election, polled for its candidate for governor at least one percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for that office in the state.^[213]

The state allows independent candidates to select a political designation apart from those recognized by the state. A brief name of the party that the candidate represents must not be longer than five words and must be specified on the candidate's nominating petition form. A party can only be formed by running a candidate using a political party designation.^[214]^[215]

Wisconsin

See statutes: Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, Chapter 5, Section 62

In Wisconsin, in order to qualify for ballot status, a political party must meet one of the following criteria:^[216]

At the last gubernatorial election, one of the party's candidates for any statewide office must have received at least 1% of the total number of votes cast for that office, or, if the last general election was also a presidential election, at least 1% of the total number of votes cast in that election.
A political organization that was listed as "independent" at the last general election and whose candidate met the above qualifications can receive ballot status by requesting such status from the Wisconsin Election Commission. The request must include the party's name, which cannot be the same as that of an existing party, and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on April 1 of an election year.
A political organization may petition for ballot status. The organization must file a petition with the Wisconsin Election Commission containing the signatures of at least 10,000 qualified electors, including at least 1,000 from each of at least three separate congressional districts. The petition must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on April 1 of an election year and will entitle the organization to ballot status for the period ending with the general election.

Selecting candidates

Ballot status parties nominate their candidates via primary election.^[216]

Maintaining party status

In order to maintain ballot status, one of the party's candidates for any statewide office at the last gubernatorial election must have received at least 1% of the total number of votes cast for that office, or, if the last general election was also a presidential election, at least 1% of the total number of votes cast in that election.^[216]

Wyoming

See statutes: Wyo. Stat. Title 22, Ch. 4

A major political party is a party whose candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, governor, or secretary of state received at least 10% of the total number of votes cast for the office in the preceding general election. Only major parties are permitted to nominate by primary.^[217]^[218]

A minor political party is a party whose candidate for the U.S. House, governor, or secretary of state received at least 2% but not more than 10% of the total votes cast for the office in the most recent general election.^[217]

A provisional party is a political organization that has filed a legally valid petition, entitling it to participate in the next general election.^[217]

A major political party is allowed to nominate its candidates by primary election with its own party ballot, while minor and provisional political parties must nominate by convention.^[218]^[219]^[220]

Requirements

Anyone wanting to form a new political party in Wyoming must file a petition with the secretary of state by May 1 of the general election year in which they want to qualify for the general election ballot. The filed petition must contain the names and signatures of registered electors equal to at least 2% of the total number of votes cast for Wyoming's at-large U.S. representative in the last general election.^[221]^[222]

Before circulation, the petition must be approved by the secretary of state. The name of the party printed on the petition may not include more than two words and may not be similar to the name of an existing qualified party, as determined by the secretary of state. A party name cannot include the word "independent."^[221]

Nomination of candidates

Major political party candidates are nominated by primary election.^[218]^[223]^[224]

After a minor political party or provisional party convention is held, the chairman and secretary of the state political convention must certify the names of the party's nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, elective state offices, and legislative offices to the secretary of state by the day before the state primary election. The same officials, or the chairman and secretary of the county political convention, must certify the names of the party's nominees for county offices and district attorney to the respective county clerk.^[225]^[220]

Minor political party and provisional party nominees must be members of the party at the time their names are certified. Nominees are required to submit the same application and fee as candidates for a primary election.^[225]^[220]

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Footnotes

[1] Justia, "2024 Code of Alabama Title 17 - Elections. Chapter 13 - Primary Elections. Article 2 - Political Parties," accessed July 7, 2025

[2] Alabama Secretary of State, "2024 Minor Party/Third Party Ballot Access," accessed July 7, 2025

[3] Justia, "2024 Code of Alabama Title 17 - Elections. Chapter 6 - Election Preparation. Article 2 - Ballots. Section 17-6-29 - Party Emblem - Submission; Approval," accessed July 7, 2025

[4] Justia, "2024 Code of Alabama Title 17 - Elections. Chapter 9 - Conduct and Management of Elections. Article 1 - General Provisions. Section 17-9-3 - Persons Entitled to Have Names Printed on Ballots; Failure of Secretary of State to Certify Nominations," accessed July 5, 2025

[5] The Alabama Legislature, "Alabama Election Handbook," accessed July 7, 2025

[6] Justia, "2024 Code of Alabama Title 17 - Elections. Chapter 6 - Election Preparation. Article 2 - Ballots. Section 17-6-22 - Political Parties Not Included on Ballot Unless Requirements Met," accessed July 7, 2025

[akparties-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 Alaska Division of Elections, "Political Parties and Groups," accessed July 7, 2025

[8] The Alaska State Legislature, "Alaska Statutes Section 15.25.030," accessed July 15, 2025

[quotedisclaimer-9] 9.00 ^9.01 ^9.02 ^9.03 ^9.04 ^9.05 ^9.06 ^9.07 ^9.08 ^9.09 ^9.10 ^9.11 ^9.12 ^9.13 ^9.14 ^9.15 ^9.16 ^9.17 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[10] The Alaska State Legislature, "Alaska Admin Code 6 AAC 25.130," accessed July 15, 2025

[akpartyreq-11] The Alaska State Legislature, "Alaska Statutes Section 15.80.008," accessed July 7, 2025

[akdefinitions-12] The Alaska State Legislature, "Alaska Statutes Section 15.80.010 (27)," accessed July 7, 2025

[azrepresentation-13] 13.0 ^13.1 ^13.2 Arizona State Legislature, "16-801. Representation of new party on ballot at primary and general elections," accessed July 7, 2025

[14] Arizona State Legislature, "16-803. Filing petition for recognition; submission of petitions to county recorder for signature verification," accessed July 7, 2025

[15] Arizona State Legislature, "16-804. Continued representation on basis of votes cast at last preceding general election or registered electors," accessed July 7, 2025

[16] Arizona State Legislature, "16-826. Meeting, organization and officers of state committee," accessed July 7, 2025

[17] LexisNexis, "A.C.A. § 7-1-101," accessed July 7, 2025

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[19] Arkansas Secretary of State, "Running for Public Office," 2024 Edition

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[27] LexisNexis, "C.R.S. 1-4-1301," accessed July 7, 2025

[28] LexisNexis, "C.R.S. 1-4-1304," accessed July 7, 2025

[cofaqmajor-29] Colorado Secretary of State, "Major Political Parties FAQs," accessed July 7, 2025

[30] LexisNexis, "C.R.S. 1-1-104," accessed July 7, 2025

[31] Office of the Secretary of the State, "Minor Parties in Connecticut," accessed July 7, 2025

[32] Connecticut General Assembly, "Chapter 153 Section 9-374," accessed July 7, 2025

[33] Connecticut General Assembly, "Chapter 153 Section 9-452a," accessed July 7, 2025

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[52] Or, 5,000 signatures for the first election after redistricting.

[53] Or, 3,000 signatures for the first election after redistricting.

[54] Or, 1,500 signatures for the first election after redistricting.

[55] ILGA.GOV, "ELECTIONS - (10 ILCS 5/) Election Code (Sec. 7-2)," accessed July 7, 2025

[56] Indiana Secretary of State, "2024 Indiana Candidate Guide," accessed July 7, 2025

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[58] Indiana General Assembly, "IC 3-8-6-5 Contents of petition," accessed July 7, 2025

[59] Indiana General Assembly, "IC 3-8-4 Chapter 4. State Conventions," accessed July 7, 2025

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[224] LexisNexis, "Wyo. Stat. § 22-5-219," accessed April 27, 2025

[nomination-225] 225.0 ^225.1 LexisNexis, "Wyo. Stat. § 22-4-304," accessed April 27, 2025 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "nomination" defined multiple times with different content

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