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Signature requirements and deadlines for 2024 U.S. Congress elections

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Candidates for the United States Congress are often required to file petitions including a certain number of signatures or to pay filing fees to their state or political party in order to have their names printed on the ballot. Candidates must submit these petitions, along with any other required paperwork and/or filing fees, by fixed deadlines. These requirements and deadlines are collectively referred to as ballot access rules, and they vary by state and office type. This article outlines the filing deadlines and petition requirements for candidates running for U.S. Congress in the 2024 election cycle.

On this page, you will find:


HIGHLIGHTS
  • The earliest filing deadlines for the 2024 election cycle were in November of 2023 with Alabama on Nov. 10 and Arkansas on Nov. 14. For comparison, the earliest filing deadline for the 2022 election cycle was in Texas on December 13, 2021.
  • The latest filing deadlines for the 2024 election cycle were in September of 2024 with Delaware and North Dakota on Sep. 3. For comparison, the latest filing deadline for the 2022 election cycle was in Louisiana on July 22.
  • In 2024, there were 13 states with the same filing deadline for both partisan and unaffiliated candidates. For comparison, 11 states had a single filing deadline for all candidates in 2022.
  • With 63 days, Delaware had the shortest period between its statewide primary and partisan filing deadline in the 2024 election cycle. Kentucky had the longest period with 137 days. For comparison, Pennsylvania had the shortest period between its statewide primary and partisan filing deadline in the 2022 election cycle with 50 days, and Missouri had the longest period with 126 days.

    • Filing deadlines and primary dates for congressional candidates

    The following table lists primary dates and filing deadlines for congressional elections in 2024.

    Primary dates and filing deadlines, 2024
    State Primary date Primary runoff date Filing deadline for primary candidates Source
    Alabama 3/5/2024 4/16/2024 11/10/2023 Source
    Alaska 8/20/2024 N/A 6/1/2024 Source
    Arizona 7/30/2024 N/A 4/1/2024 Source
    Arkansas 3/5/2024 4/2/2024 11/14/2023 Source
    California 3/5/2024 N/A 12/8/2023 Source
    Colorado 6/25/2024 N/A 3/19/2024 Source
    Connecticut 8/13/2024 N/A 6/11/2024 Source
    Delaware 9/10/2024 N/A 7/9/2024 Source
    Florida 8/20/2024 N/A 4/26/2024[1] Source
    Georgia 5/21/2024 6/18/2024 3/8/2024 Source
    Hawaii 8/10/2024 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Idaho 5/21/2024 N/A 3/15/2024 Source
    Illinois 3/19/2024 N/A 12/4/2023 Source
    Indiana 5/7/2024 N/A 2/9/2024 Source
    Iowa 6/4/2024 N/A 3/15/2024[2] Source
    Kansas 8/6/2024 N/A 6/3/2024 Source
    Kentucky 5/21/2024 N/A 1/5/2024 Source
    Louisiana 11/5/2024 N/A 7/19/2024 Source
    Maine 6/11/2024 N/A 3/15/2024 Source
    Maryland 5/14/2024 N/A 2/9/2024 Source
    Massachusetts 9/3/2024 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Michigan 8/6/2024 N/A 4/23/2024 Source
    Minnesota 8/13/2024 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Mississippi 3/12/2024 4/2/2024 1/12/2024 Source
    Missouri 8/6/2024 N/A 3/26/2024 Source
    Montana 6/4/2024 N/A 3/11/2024 Source
    Nebraska 5/14/2024 N/A 3/1/2024[3] Source
    Nevada 6/11/2024 N/A 3/15/2024[4] Source
    New Hampshire 9/10/2024 N/A 6/14/2024 Source
    New Jersey 6/4/2024 N/A 3/25/2024 Source
    New Mexico 6/4/2024 N/A 2/6/2024[5] Source
    New York 6/25/2024 N/A 4/4/2024 Source
    North Carolina 3/5/2024 5/14/2024 12/15/2023 Source
    North Dakota 6/11/2024 N/A 4/8/2024 Source
    Ohio 3/19/2024 N/A 12/20/2023 Source
    Oklahoma 6/18/2024 8/27/2024 4/5/2024 Source
    Oregon 5/21/2024 N/A 3/12/2024 Source
    Pennsylvania 4/23/2024 N/A 2/13/2024 Source
    Rhode Island 9/10/2024 N/A 6/26/2024 Source
    South Carolina 6/11/2024 6/25/2024 4/1/2024 Source
    South Dakota 6/4/2024 7/30/2024 3/26/2024 Source
    Tennessee 8/1/2024 N/A 4/4/2024 Source
    Texas 3/5/2024 5/28/2024 12/11/2023 Source
    Utah 6/25/2024 N/A 1/8/2024 Source
    Vermont 8/13/2024 N/A 5/30/2024 Source
    Virginia[6] 6/18/2024 N/A 4/4/2024 Source
    Washington 8/6/2024 N/A 5/10/2024 Source
    West Virginia 5/14/2024 N/A 1/27/2024 Source
    Wisconsin 8/13/2024 N/A 6/3/2024 Source
    Wyoming 8/20/2024 N/A 5/31/2024 Source


    Signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for congressional candidates

    The following tables list signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for elections to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House in 2024. Please note that dates are subject to change.

    U.S. Senate

    Signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
    State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
    Arizona U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 0.25% of qualified signers in the state N/A 4/1/2024 Source
    Arizona U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3% of total registered voters who are not members of a ballot-qualified political party N/A 4/1/2024 Source
    California U.S. Senate All candidates 65-100 $3,480.00 12/8/2023 Source 7,000 signatures can be provided in lieu of the filing fee
    Connecticut U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2% of enrolled party members N/A 6/11/2024 Source
    Connecticut U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less N/A 8/7/2024 Source
    Delaware U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $10,440 7/9/2024 Source
    Delaware U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of eligible voters N/A 9/3/2024 Source
    Florida U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 145,040 $10,440.00 4/26/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Florida U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 145,040 $6,960.00 4/26/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Hawaii U.S. Senate All candidates 25 $75.00 6/4/2024 Source
    Indiana U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican 4,500 (500 per congressional district) N/A 2/9/2024 Source
    Indiana U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2% of all votes cast in the last election for secretary of state N/A 7/1/2024 Source Signature requirements are from statute § 3-8-6-3.
    Maine U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2,000 N/A 3/15/2024 Source
    Maine U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 4,000 N/A 6/3/2024 Source
    Maryland U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican N/A $290.00 2/9/2024 Source
    Maryland U.S. Senate Non-principal party N/A $290.00 8/2/2024 Source
    Maryland U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 $290.00 8/5/2024 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 10,000 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 8/27/2024 Source
    Michigan U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican 15,000 N/A 4/23/2024 Source
    Michigan U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 30,000 N/A 7/18/2024 Source
    Minnesota U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2,000 $400.00 6/4/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Minnesota U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Mississippi U.S. Senate Democratic N/A $1,000.00 1/12/2024 Source
    Mississippi U.S. Senate Republican N/A $5,000.00 1/12/2024 Source
    Mississippi U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 $1,000.00 1/12/2024 Source
    Missouri U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/26/2024 Source
    Missouri U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 7/29/2024 Source
    Montana U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 3/11/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Montana U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5% of total votes cast for successful candidate in the last general election $1,740.00 6/3/2024 Source
    Nebraska U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 Incumbent: 2/15/2024 Non-incumbent: 3/1/2024 Source
    Nebraska U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 4,000 $1,740.00 8/1/2024 Source
    Nevada U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 Non-judicial 3/15/2024 Judicial: 1/12/2024 Source
    Nevada U.S. Senate Unaffiliated N/A $500.00 6/6/2024 Source
    New Jersey U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 1,000 N/A 3/25/2024 Source
    New Jersey U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 800 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. Senate Democratic 2,505 N/A Candidates seeking pre-pprimary designation 2/6/2024 All other candidates 3/12/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. Senate Libertarian 294 N/A Candidates seeking pre-pprimary designation 2/6/2024 All other candidates 3/12/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. Senate Republican 2,351 N/A Candidates seeking pre-pprimary designation 2/6/2024 All other candidates 3/12/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 14,147 N/A 6/27/2024 Source
    New York U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 5% of voters from the candidate's same party or 15,000, whichever is less N/A 4/4/2024 Source According to state law, at least 100 or 5% of signatures collected must be from each of half of the congressional districts in the state.
    New York U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for governor in the last election or 45,000, whichever is less N/A 5/28/2024 Source According to state law, at least 500 or 1% of signatures collected must be from each of half of the congressional districts in the state.
    North Dakota U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 300 N/A 4/8/2024 Source
    North Dakota U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 9/3/2024 Source
    Ohio U.S. Senate Major parties 1,000 $150.00 12/20/2023 Source
    Ohio U.S. Senate Minor parties 500 $150.00 3/18/2024 Source
    Ohio U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5,000 $150.00 3/18/2024 Source
    Pennsylvania U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2,000 $200.00 2/13/2024 Source
    Pennsylvania U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast in the district in the last election $200.00 8/1/2024 Source
    Rhode Island U.S. Senate All candidates 1,000 N/A 6/26/2024[7] Source
    Tennessee U.S. Senate All candidates 25 N/A 4/4/2024 Source
    Texas U.S. Senate Democrat or Republican 5,000 $5,000.00 12/11/2023 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Texas U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of all votes cast for governor in the last election N/A 12/11/2023 Source
    Utah U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 28,000 $1,355.00 1/8/2024 Source
    Utah U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 $1,355.00 6/18/2024 Source
    Vermont U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 500 N/A 5/30/2024 Source
    Vermont U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 500 N/A 8/8/2024 Source
    Virginia U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 10,000 $3,480.00 4/4/2024 Source
    Virginia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 6/18/2024 Source
    Washington U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 1,740 $1,740.00 5/10/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Washington U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 8/2/2024 Source
    West Virginia U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 1/27/2024 Source
    West Virginia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for this office in the last election, but no fewer than 25 $1,740.00 8/1/2024 Source
    Wisconsin U.S. Senate All candidates 2,000 N/A 6/3/2024 Source
    Wyoming U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $750.00 5/31/2024 Source
    Wyoming U.S. Senate Minor party N/A $750.00 8/19/2024 Source
    Wyoming U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3,891 $750.00 8/26/2024 Source

    U.S. House

    Signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for U.S. House candidates, 2024
    State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
    Alabama U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A Fixed by party 11/10/2023 Source
    Alabama U.S. House Unaffiliated 3% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election N/A 3/5/2024 Source
    Alaska U.S. House All candidates N/A $100.00 6/1/2024 Source
    Arizona U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 0.5% of registered voters in the state N/A 4/1/2024 Source
    Arizona U.S. House Unaffiliated 3% of total registered voters who are not members of a ballot-qualified political party N/A 4/1/2024 Source
    Arkansas U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A Fixed by party 11/14/2023 Source
    Arkansas U.S. House Unaffiliated 3% of total votes cast for governor in the last election or 2,000, whichever is less N/A 11/14/2023 Source
    California U.S. House All candidates 40-60 $1,740.00 12/8/2023 Source 2,000 signatures can be provided in lieu of the filing fee
    Colorado U.S. House Major party 1,500 per congressional district or 10% of votes cast, whichever is less N/A 3/19/2024 Source
    Colorado U.S. House Minor party 1,500 per congressional district or 2.5% of votes cast, whichever is less N/A 4/1/2024 Source
    Colorado U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,500 per congressional district or 2.5% of votes cast, whichever is less N/A 7/11/2024 Source
    Connecticut U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 2% of registered party members in the district N/A 6/11/2024 Source
    Connecticut U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less N/A 8/7/2024 Source
    Delaware U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $3,480 7/9/2024 Source
    Delaware U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of eligible voters N/A 9/3/2024 Source
    Florida U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 5,181[8] $10,440 4/26/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Florida U.S. House Unaffiliated 5,181[9] $6,960 4/26/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Georgia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $5,220.00 3/8/2024 Source
    Georgia U.S. House Unaffiliated 27,992[10] $5,220.00 7/9/2024 Source
    Hawaii U.S. House All candidates 25 $75.00 6/4/2024 Source
    Idaho U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 500 $300.00 3/15/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Idaho U.S. House Unaffiliated 500 $300.00 8/30/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Illinois U.S. House Democratic 685[11] N/A 12/4/2023 Source
    Illinois U.S. House Republican 536[12] N/A 12/4/2023 Source
    Illinois U.S. House Unaffiliated 12,188[13] N/A 6/24/2024 Source
    Indiana U.S. House Democratic or Republican 4,500 (500 per congressional district) N/A 2/9/2024 Source
    Indiana U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of all votes cast in the 2022 election for secretary of state N/A 7/1/2024 Source Signature requirements are from statute § 3-8-6-3.
    Iowa U.S. House Ballot-qualified 1,726, including at least 46 signatures from each of 1/2 of the counties in the district N/A 3/15/2024 Source
    Iowa U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,726, including at least 46 signatures from each of 1/2 of the counties in the district N/A 8/24/2024 Source
    Kansas U.S. House Democratic or Republican 2% of the party's total voter registration in the district $1,760 6/3/2024 Source
    Kansas U.S. House Unaffiliated 4% of registered voters in the district, or 5,000, whichever is less $1,760 8/5/2024 Source
    Kentucky U.S. House Democratic or Republican 2 $500.00 1/5/2024 Source
    Kentucky U.S. House Unaffiliated 400 $500.00 6/4/2024 Source
    Louisiana U.S. House Democratic or Republican 1,000 $900.00 7/19/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Louisiana U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 $600.00 7/19/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Maine U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 N/A 3/15/2024 Source
    Maine U.S. House Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 6/3/2024 Source
    Maryland U.S. House Democratic or Republican N/A $100.00 2/9/2024 Source
    Maryland U.S. House Non-principal party N/A $100.00 8/2/2024 Source
    Maryland U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the total number of eligible voters in the district $100.00 8/5/2024 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 2,000 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. House Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 8/27/2024 Source
    Michigan U.S. House Democratic or Republican 1,000 N/A 4/23/2024 Source
    Michigan U.S. House Unaffiliated 3,000 N/A 7/18/2024 Source
    Minnesota U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $300.00 6/4/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Minnesota U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    Mississippi U.S. House Democratic N/A $500.00 1/12/2024 Source
    Mississippi U.S. House Republican N/A $2,500.00 1/12/2024 Source
    Mississippi U.S. House Unaffiliated 200 $500.00 1/12/2024 Source
    Missouri U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 3/26/2024 Source
    Missouri U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of votes for this office in the last election, or 10,000, whichever is less N/A 7/29/2024 Source
    Montana U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 3/11/2024 Source
    Montana U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of votes cast for the last successful candidate $1,740.00 6/3/2024 Source
    Nebraska U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 Incumbent: 2/15/2024 Non-incumbent: 3/1/2024 Source
    Nebraska U.S. House Unaffiliated 20% of registered voters in the district who voted for president in 2020, or 2,000, whichever is less $1,740.00 8/1/2024 Source
    Nevada U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 Non-judicial 3/15/2024 Judicial: 1/12/2024 Source
    Nevada U.S. House Unaffiliated N/A $300.00 6/6/2024 Source
    New Hampshire U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 100 $50.00 6/14/2024 Source Petition signatures can be substituted for filing fee. They are not required.
    New Hampshire U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,500 $50.00 8/7/2024 Source Petition signatures are required in addition to filing fee.
    New Jersey U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 200 N/A 3/25/2024 Source
    New Jersey U.S. House Unaffiliated 50 N/A 6/4/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Democratic 835[14] N/A Candidates seeking pre-pprimary designation 2/6/2024 All other candidates 3/12/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Libertarian 88[14] N/A Candidates seeking pre-pprimary designation 2/6/2024 All other candidates 3/12/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Republican 783[14] N/A Candidates seeking pre-pprimary designation 2/6/2024 All other candidates 3/12/2024 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Unaffiliated 4,715[14] N/A 6/27/2024 Source
    New York U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 5% of voters from the candidate's same party or 1,250, whichever is less N/A 4/4/2024 Source
    New York U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for governor in the last election or 3,500, whichever is less N/A 5/28/2024 Source
    North Carolina U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 5% of registered voters in the same party or 8,000, whichever is greater $1,740.00 12/15/2023 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    North Carolina U.S. House Unaffiliated 10,000 $1,740.00 3/5/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    North Dakota U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 3% of votes cast for the same office and party in the last election, or 300, whichever is less N/A 4/8/2024 Source
    North Dakota U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 9/2/2024 Source
    Ohio U.S. House Major party 50 $85.00 12/20/2023 Source
    Ohio U.S. House Minor party 25 $85.00 3/18/2024 Source
    Ohio U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the vote cast for governor in the district in the last election $85.00 3/18/2024 Source
    Oklahoma U.S. House All candidates 2% of the number of registered voters in the appropriate district $1,000.00 4/5/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Oregon U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $100.00 3/12/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Oregon U.S. House Unaffiliated 4,749 N/A 8/27/2024 Source
    Pennsylvania U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $150.00 2/13/2024 Source
    Pennsylvania U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast in the district in the last election $150.00 8/1/2024 Source
    Rhode Island U.S. House All candidates 500 N/A 6/26/2024[15] Source
    South Carolina U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $3,480.00 4/1/2024 Source
    South Carolina U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of the active, registered voters in the district N/A 7/15/2024 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Democratic 1,232 N/A 3/26/2024 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Libertarian 741 N/A 3/26/2024 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Republican 2,171 N/A 3/26/2024 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Unaffiliated 3,502 N/A 4/30/2024 Source
    Tennessee U.S. House All candidates 25 N/A 4/4/2024 Source
    Texas U.S. House Democratic or Republican 2% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less $3,125.00 12/11/2023 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
    Texas U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less N/A 12/11/2023 Source
    Utah U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 7,000 $485.00 1/8/2024 Source
    Utah U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of registered voters in the district, or 300, whichever is less $485.00 6/18/2024 Source
    Vermont U.S. House Major party 500 N/A 5/30/2024 Source
    Vermont U.S. House Unaffiliated 500 N/A 8/8/2024 Source
    Virginia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $3,480.00 4/4/2024 Source
    Virginia U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 6/18/2024 Source
    Washington U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,740 $1,740.00 5/10/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    Washington U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,740 N/A 8/2/2024 Source
    West Virginia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 1/27/2024 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
    West Virginia U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for this office in the last election, but no fewer than 25 $1,740.00 8/1/2024 Source
    Wisconsin U.S. House All candidates 1,000 N/A 6/3/2024 Source
    Wyoming U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $750.00 5/31/2024 Source
    Wyoming U.S. House Minor party N/A $750.00 8/19/2024 Source
    Wyoming U.S. House Unaffiliated 3,891 $750.00 8/26/2024 Source


    Ballot access requirements for congressional elections

    In order to get on the ballot, a candidate or party must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether and how a candidate or party can appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level and apply to state and congressional candidates.

    There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

    1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
    2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
    3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

    For state-specific ballot access requirements, select a state from the map below. If on a mobile device, select a state from the dropdown menu below.

    http://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_access_requirements_for_political_candidates_in_STATE



    For additional information about ballot access requirements for presidential candidates, see this article.

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ This deadline was for the following offices: U.S. Congress, state attorney, public defender, state supreme court, district appeals court, circuit court. The filing deadline for state senator, state representative, county office, and special districts was 6/14/2024.
    2. ↑ This deadline was for U.S. Congress and state offices. The filing deadline for county offices was 3/22/2024.
    3. ↑ This filing deadline is for non-incumbents. Incumbents must file by 2/15/2024.
    4. ↑ This filing deadline is for non-judicial candidates. The filing deadline for judicial candidates was 1/12/2024.
    5. ↑ This deadline was for candidates seeking pre-primary designation. The filing deadline for all other candidates was 3/12/2024.
    6. ↑ In Virginia, the Democratic and Republican parties form committees to decide on the method of nomination used for congressional races. These non-primary methods of nomination may take place on a date other than the statewide primary.
    7. ↑ Declaration of candidacy deadline
    8. ↑ Average of all congressional districts.
    9. ↑ Average of all congressional districts.
    10. ↑ Average of all congressional districts.
    11. ↑ Average of all congressional districts.
    12. ↑ Average of all congressional districts.
    13. ↑ Average of all congressional districts.
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named avg
    15. ↑ Declaration of candidacy deadline
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