Petition signature requirements for independent U.S. Senate candidates, 2018
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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.
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In order to get on the ballot as a candidate for the United States Senate, an individual must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are established and enforced at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.
There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.
- An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
- An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
- An individual can run as a write-in candidate.
In 2018, there were 33 U.S. Senate seats up for election. This article outlines the petition signature requirements for independent U.S. Senate candidates in 2018.
Petition signature requirements by state
| Petition signature requirements for independent U.S. Senate candidates, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Statutory requirement | 2018 requirement | 2018 requirement as a percentage of state population[1] |
| Arizona | 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation | 37,526[2] | 0.54% |
| California | A petition containing 7,000 signatures may be used in lieu of paying a filing fee | 7,000 | 0.02% |
| Connecticut | 1% of votes cast for governor at the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less | 7,500 | 0.21% |
| Delaware | 1% of all eligible voters as of December 31 of the year prior to the election | 6,853[3] | 0.72% |
| Florida | If a candidate does not file by paying filing fees, he or she may file a petition with signatures equal to at least 1% of the total number of registered voters in the geographical area represented by the office being sought | 128,638 | 0.62% |
| Hawaii | 25 | 25 | 0.00% |
| Indiana | 2% of the total votes cast for secretary of state in the last election | 26,699 | 0.40% |
| Maine | Between 4,000 and 6,000 | 4,000 | 0.30% |
| Maryland | 10,000, or 1% of the total number of voters who are eligible to vote for the office being sought by the candidate, whichever is less | 10,000 | 0.17% |
| Massachusetts | 10,000 | 10,000 | 0.15% |
| Michigan | Between 30,000 and 60,000 | 30,000 | 0.30% |
| Minnesota | 2,000 | 2,000 | 0.04% |
| Mississippi | At least 1,000 signatures | 1,000 | 0.03% |
| Missouri | 10,000 | 10,000 | 0.16% |
| Montana | 5% of the total votes cast at the last general election for the successful candidate for the office being sought | 11,807 | 1.13% |
| Nebraska | 10% of all registered voters entitled to vote for the office | N/A[4] | N/A |
| Nevada | At least 1% of the total votes cast at the last general election for U.S. Senator, or 250 signatures, whichever is less | 250 | 0.01% |
| New Jersey | 800 registered voters in the state | 800 | 0.01% |
| New Mexico | At least 3% of the total number of votes cast for governor in the previous general election | 15,384 | 0.74% |
| New York | 15,000 | 15,000[5] | 0.08% |
| North Dakota | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0.13% |
| Ohio | 5,000 qualified electors | 5,000 | 0.04% |
| Pennsylvania | N/A | N/A[6] | N/A |
| Rhode Island | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0.09% |
| Tennessee | 25 | 25 | 0.00% |
| Texas | 1% of all votes cast for all gubernatorial candidates in the last gubernatorial election | 47,183 | 0.17% |
| Utah | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0.03% |
| Vermont | 500 | 500 | 0.08% |
| Virginia | 10,000, including 400 qualified voters from each congressional district | 10,000 | 0.12% |
| Washington | A petition containing a number signatures equal to the office's filing fee may be used in lieu of paying a filing fee | 1,740 | 0.02% |
| West Virginia | 1% of the entire vote cast at the last preceding general election for the office being sought (or at least 25 signatures) | 4,537 | 0.25% |
| Wisconsin | Between 2,000 and 4,000 | 2,000 | 0.03% |
| Wyoming | 2% of the total number of votes cast for United States Representative in the last general election | 5,036 | 0.86% |
Recent news
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See also
- Ballot access
- Ballot access for major and minor party candidates
- United States Senate elections, 2018
Footnotes
- ↑ These percentages were calculated using 2016 population estimates from the United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ This figure was calculated using October 2017 figures. A more precise figure will be added when it becomes available.
- ↑ This figure was calculated using October 2017 figures. A more precise figure will be added when it becomes available.
- ↑ This figure will be added when it becomes available.
- ↑ A total of 100 signatures must come from each of one-half of the state's congressional districts.
- ↑ This figure will be added when it becomes available.
