Signature requirements and deadlines for 2026 state government elections
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| Ballot access for major and minor party candidates |
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| Ballot access for presidential candidates |
| Select a state below to learn more about ballot access requirements for candidates in that state. |
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| Ballot access requirements for political parties in the United States |
| List of political parties in the United States |
| Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker |
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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Candidates for elective office must often file petition signatures or pay filing fees in order to appear on the ballot. Candidates must submit these petitions, fees, and any other required paperwork by fixed deadlines. These requirements and deadlines, which are referred to collectively as ballot access requirements, vary by state and office.
This article outlines ballot access requirements for 2026 state government elections.
Ballot access requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2026
There are 36 gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2026. These elections are in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The following table lists signature requirements, filing fees, filing deadlines, and qualifications for gubernatorial candidates in 2026.
| Ballot access requirements for gubernatorial primary candidates, 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
| Alabama | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Fixed by party | 1/23/2026 | Source |
| Alabama | Governor | Unaffiliated | 2% of the total number of votes cast in the state for U.S. Representative in the last general election | N/A | 5/19/2026 | Source |
| Alaska | Governor | All candidates | N/A | $100 | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | Governor | Democrat | 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | Governor | Republican | 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | Governor | Libertarian | 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | Governor | Unaffiliated | 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arkansas | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Fixed by party | 11/12/2025 | Source |
| Arkansas | Governor | Unaffiliated | 3% of qualified voters in the district, or 2,000, whichever is less | N/A | 5/1/2026 | Source |
| California | Governor | All candidates | 40-60 | $1,740 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | Governor | Major party | 1,500 per congressional district | N/A | 3/18/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | Governor | Minor party | 1,000 per congressional district | N/A | 3/18/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | Governor | Unaffiliated | 1,000 per congressional district | N/A | 7/9/2026 | Source |
| Connecticut | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 2% of enrolled party members | N/A | 6/9/2026 | Source |
| Connecticut | Governor | Unaffiliated | 1% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less | N/A | 6/9/2026 | Source |
| Florida | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 139,492 | $8,484.00 | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| Florida | Governor | Unaffiliated | 139,492 | $5,656.00 | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| Georgia | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | One-fourth of 1 percent of the total number of registered voters | $5,250.00 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| Georgia | Governor | Unaffiliated | One-fourth of 1 percent of the total number of registered voters | $5,250.00 | 7/14/2026 | Source |
| Hawaii | Governor | All candidates | 25 | $75.00 | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Idaho | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 1,000 | $300.00 | 2/27/2026 | Source |
| Idaho | Governor | Unaffiliated | 1000 | $300 | 8/28/2026 | Source |
| Illinois | Governor | Established parties | 5,000 | N/A | 11/3/2025 | Source |
| Illinois | Governor | Independents | 1% of the number of voters who voted in the last statewide general election or 25,000 qualified voters of the State, whichever is less. | N/A | 5/26/2026 | Source |
| Iowa | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 3,500, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties. | N/A | 3/13/2026 | Source |
| Iowa | Governor | Unaffiliated | 3,500, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties. | N/A | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Kansas | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | One percent of the party’s total registration | one percent of the salary of the office plus a $20 administrative fee. | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Kansas | Governor | Unaffiliated | 5,000 signatures of registered Kansas voters | N/A | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Maine | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 2,000 | N/A | 3/16/2026 | Source |
| Maine | Governor | Unaffiliated | 4,000 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Maryland | Governor | Democratic or Republican | N/A | $290 | TBD | Source |
| Maryland | Governor | Non-principal party | N/A | $290 | TBD | Source |
| Massachusetts | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 10,000 | N/A | 2/24/2026 | Source |
| Massachusetts | Governor | Unaffiliated | 10,000 | N/A | 7/2/2026 | Source |
| Michigan | Governor | Democrat or Republican | 15,000-30,000 | N/A | 4/21/2026 | Source |
| Michigan | Governor | Unaffiliated | 12,000-60,000 | N/A | 7/16/2026 | Source |
| Minnesota | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 2,000 | $300 | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Minnesota | Governor | Unaffiliated | 2,000 | N/A | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Nebraska | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 4,000, with at least seven hundred fifty signatures shall be obtained in each congressional district in the state | 1% of the annual salary as of November 30 of the year preceding the election for the office | Incumbents: 2/17/2026, Non-incumbents: 3/2/2026 | Source |
| Nebraska | Governor | Unaffiliated | 4,000, with at least seven hundred fifty signatures shall be obtained in each congressional district in the state | 1% of the annual salary as of November 30 of the year preceding the election for the office | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Nevada | Governor | ballot-qualified | N/A | $300 | 3/13/2026 | Source |
| Nevada | Governor | unaffiliated | N/A | $300 | 6/22/2026 | Source |
| New Hampshire | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 200 | $100 | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| New Hampshire | Governor | Unaffiliated | 3,000 | $100 | 8/5/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | Governor | Democratic | 2% of votes cast for all of the party's gubernatorial candidates in the last primary | N/A | Candidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | Governor | Libertarian | 2% of votes cast for all of the party's gubernatorial candidates in the last primary | N/A | Candidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | Governor | Republican | 2% of votes cast for all of the party's gubernatorial candidates in the last primary | N/A | Candidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | Governor | Unaffiliated | 2% of all votes cast for governor in the last election | N/A | 6/27/2026 | Source |
| New York | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 15,000 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| New York | Governor | Unaffiliated | 45,000 | N/A | 5/26/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | Governor | Major party | 1,000 | $150 | 2/4/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | Governor | Minor party | 500 | $150 | 2/4/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | Governor | Unaffiliated | 5,000 | $150 | 5/4/2026 | Source |
| Oklahoma | Governor | All candidates | 2% of the number of registered voters in the state | $2,000 | 4/3/2026 | Source |
| Oregon | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | The lesser of either 1,000 signatures or 2% of the number of votes cast for the candidates of that major political party for presidential electors at the last presidential election. Must include signatures from at least 100 electors registered in each congressional district. | $150 | Incumbents: 3/3/2026, New candidates: 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Oregon | Governor | Unaffiliated | 22,445 | N/A | Incumbents: 8/18/2026, New candidates: 8/25/2026 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 2,000 | $200 | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | Governor | Unaffiliated | 2,000 | $200 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Rhode Island | Governor | All candidates | 1,000 | N/A | 6/24/2026 | Source |
| South Carolina | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | 1% of the total salary for the term of that office or one hundred dollars, whichever amount is greater | 3/30/2026 | Source |
| South Carolina | Governor | Unaffiliated | 5% of the active, registered voters in the state | 7/15/2026 | Source | |
| South Dakota | Governor | Democratic | 1,232 | N/A | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | Governor | Libertarian | 741 | N/A | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | Governor | Republican | 2,171 | N/A | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | Governor | Unaffiliated | 3,502 | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Tennessee | Governor | All candidates | 25 | N/A | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Texas | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 5,000 | $3,750 | 12/8/2025 | Source |
| Texas | Governor | Unaffiliated | 1% of all votes cast for governor in the last election | N/A | 12/8/2025 | Source |
| Vermont | Governor | Major party | 500 | N/A | 5/28/2026 | Source |
| Vermont | Governor | Unaffiliated | 500 | N/A | 8/6/2026 | Source |
| Wisconsin | Governor | All candidates | 2,000 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | Governor | Major party | N/A | $300 | 5/14/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | Governor | Minor parties | N/A | $300 | 5/14/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | Governor | Unaffiliated | 2% of all votes cast for U.S. Representative in the last election | $300 | 8/24/2026 | Source |
Ballot access requirements for state legislative candidates, 2026
Across 46 states, 88 of those chambers are holding regular legislative elections in 2026. The following table lists signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for state legislative candidates in 2026.
| Ballot access requirements for state legislative primary candidates, 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
| Alabama | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Chosen by party | 1/23/2026 | Source |
| Alabama | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 3% of total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in the district | N/A | 5/19/2026 | Source |
| Alaska | State House of Representatives | All candidates | N/A | $30.00 | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State House of Representatives | Democrat | 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State House of Representatives | Republican | 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State House of Representatives | Libertarian | 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arkansas | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Fixed by party | 11/12/2025 | Source |
| Arkansas | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 3% of qualified voters in the district, or 2,000, whichever is less | N/A | 5/1/2026 | Source |
| California | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 857 | $1,346.94 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| California | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 857 | $1,346.94 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | State House of Representatives | Major party | 1,000 or 30% of votes cast (whichever is less) | N/A | 3/18/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | State House of Representatives | Minor party | 1,000 or 5% of votes cast (whichever is less) | 3/18/2026 | Source | |
| Colorado | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1,000 or 5% of votes cast (whichever is less) | N/A | 7/9/2026 | Source |
| Connecticut | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 5% of the enrolled members of the party in the district | N/A | 6/9/2026 | Source |
| Connecticut | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less | N/A | 6/9/2026 | Source |
| Delaware | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Determined by party | 7/14/2026 | Source |
| Delaware | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of the total number of voters registered for the district | N/A | 9/1/2026 | Source |
| Florida | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy | 6% of the annual salary | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| Florida | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy | 4% of the annual salary | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| Georgia | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the total number of registered voters in the district | $400 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| Georgia | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 5% of the total number of registered voters in the district | $400 | 7/14/2026 | Source |
| Hawaii | State House of Representatives | All candidates | 15 | $250.00 | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Idaho | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 50 | $30.00 | 2/27/2026 | Source |
| Idaho | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 50 | $30.00 | 8/28/2026 | Source |
| Illinois | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | N/A | 11/3/2025 | Source |
| Illinois | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 5% of the number of persons who voted at the last general election in the district | N/A | 5/26/2026 | Source |
| Indiana | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | N/A | 2/6/2026 | Source |
| Indiana | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 2% of votes cast in the district for secretary of state in the last election | N/A | 7/15/2026 | Source |
| Iowa | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 50 | N/A | 3/13/2026 | Source |
| Iowa | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 50 | N/A | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Kansas | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | Two percent of the party’s total voter registration from the district | $145 | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Kansas | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | Four percent of the registered voters from the district; at least 25 signatures of Kansas voters but no more than 5,000 voters | $120 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Kentucky | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $200 | 1/9/2026 | Source |
| Kentucky | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 100 | $200 | 4/1/2026 | Source |
| Maine | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 25 | N/A | 3/16/2026 | Source |
| Maine | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 50 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Maryland | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the eligible voters for the district | $50 | 2/24/2026 | Source |
| Maryland | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 10000 | $50 | 7/6/2026 | Source |
| Massachusetts | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Massachusetts | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | N/A | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Michigan | State House of Representatives | Democratic or Republican | 200 | $100 | 4/21/2026 | Source |
| Michigan | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 600 | N/A | 7/16/2026 | Source |
| Minnesota | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | $100.00 | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Minnesota | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 500 | N/A | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Missouri | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $150 | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| Missouri | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 2% of the total number of voters who voted at the last election for candidates for the office being sought or is equal to 10,000 voters, whichever is less | N/A | 7/27/2026 | Source |
| Montana | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $15 | 3/4/2026 | Source |
| Montana | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 182 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| New Hampshire | State House of Representatives | ballot-qualified | 5 | $2 | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| New Hampshire | State House of Representatives | unaffiliated | 150 | $2 | 8/5/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 3% of the total vote of the candidate’s party in the district or 10 voters, whichever is greater. | N/A | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of the total number of votes cast for governor in the district at the last preceding general election | N/A | 6/27/2026 | Source |
| New York | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| New York | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1500 | N/A | 5/26/2026 | Source |
| North Carolina | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 5% of the registered voters in the district | 1% of the annual salary of the office sought | 12/19/2025 | Source |
| North Carolina | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 200 | 1% of the annual salary of the office sought | 12/19/2025 | Source |
| North Dakota | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the total population of the legislative district | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| North Dakota | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 2% of the total population of the legislative district | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | State House of Representatives | Major party | 50 | $85 | 2/4/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | State House of Representatives | Minor party | 25 | $85 | 2/4/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 5% or 25 (whichever is less) if the number of votes cast in the district in the last general election for governor was fewer than 5,000, 1% if the number of votes cast in the district in the last general election for governor was 5,000 or more | $85 | 5/4/2026 | Source |
| Oklahoma | State House of Representatives | All candidates | 2% of the number of registered voters in the district | $500 | 4/3/2026 | Source |
| Oregon | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | Whichever is less, 500 or 2% of the number of votes cast in the district for the candidates of the party for presidential electors at the last presidential election" | $85 | Incumbents: 3/3/2026, New candidates: 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Oregon | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of the number of votes cast in the district for president | N/A | Incumbents: 8/18/2026, New candidates: 8/25/2026 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 300 | $100 | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 2% of the largest vote cast in the district for any officer elected at the last preceding election. | $100 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Rhode Island | State House of Representatives | All candidates | 500 | N/A | 6/24/2026 | Source |
| South Carolina | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $208 | 3/30/2026 | Source |
| South Carolina | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 5% of the active, registered voters in the district | $208 | 7/15/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of votes cast for the party's gubernatorial candidate in the last election, or 50, whichever is less | N/A | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Tennessee | State House of Representatives | All candidates | 25 voters registered in the candidate's district | N/A | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Texas | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | $750 | 12/8/2025 | Source |
| Texas | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 500 | N/A | 12/8/2025 | Source |
| Utah | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 1000 | $50 plus 1/8 of 1% of the total salary for the full term of office | 1/8/2026 | Source |
| Utah | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 5% of the registered voters residing within the district | $50 plus 1/8 of 1% of the total salary for the full term of office | 6/15/2026 | Source |
| Vermont | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | 50 | N/A | 5/28/2026 | Source |
| Vermont | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 50 | N/A | 8/6/2026 | Source |
| Washington | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | No fewer than the dollar amount of the filing fee | 1% of the office’s fixed annual salary | 5/8/2026 | Source |
| Washington | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | No fewer than the dollar amount of the filing fee | 1% of the office’s fixed annual salary | 5/8/2026 | Source |
| West Virginia | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $100 | 1/31/2026 | Source |
| West Virginia | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 1% of the vote cast at the last preceding general election for the office, but no less than 25 | $100 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Wisconsin | State House of Representatives | All candidates | 200 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | State House of Representatives | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $100 | 5/14/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | State House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 2% of votes cast for the office in the last general election | $100 | 8/24/206 | Source |
| Alabama | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Chosen by party | 1/23/2026 | Source |
| Alabama | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 3% of total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in the district | N/A | 5/19/2026 | Source |
| Alaska | State Senate | All candidates | N/A | $30.00 | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State Senate | Democrat | 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State Senate | Republican | 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State Senate | Libertarian | 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arizona | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation as of January 2, 2026 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Arkansas | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Fixed by party | 11/12/2025 | Source |
| Arkansas | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 3% of qualified voters in the district, or 2,000, whichever is less | N/A | 5/1/2026 | Source |
| California | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1714 | $1,346.94 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| California | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1714 | $1,346.94 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | State Senate | Major party | 1,000 or 30% of votes cast (whichever is less) | N/A | 3/18/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | State Senate | Minor party | 1,000 or 3.33% of votes cast (whichever is less) | N/A | 3/18/2026 | Source |
| Colorado | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1,000 or 3.33% of votes cast (whichever is less) | N/A | 7/9/2026 | Source |
| Connecticut | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 5% of the enrolled members of the party in the district | N/A | 6/9/2026 | Source |
| Connecticut | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less | N/A | 6/9/2026 | Source |
| Delaware | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | Determined by party | 7/14/2026 | Source |
| Delaware | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of the total number of voters registered for the district | N/A | 9/1/2026 | Source |
| Florida | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy | 6% of the annual salary | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| Florida | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy | 4% of the annual salary | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| Georgia | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the total number of registered voters in the district | $400 | 3/6/2026 | Source |
| Georgia | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 5% of the total number of registered voters in the district | $400 | 7/14/2026 | Source |
| Hawaii | State Senate | All candidates | 15 | $250.00 | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Idaho | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 50 | $30.00 | 2/27/2026 | Source |
| Idaho | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 50 | $30.00 | 8/28/2026 | Source |
| Illinois | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1000 | N/A | 11/3/2025 | Source |
| Illinois | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 5% of the number of persons who voted at the last general election in the district | N/A | 5/26/2026 | Source |
| Indiana | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | N/A | 2/6/2026 | Source |
| Indiana | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 2% of votes cast in the district for secretary of state in the last election | N/A | 7/15/2026 | Source |
| Iowa | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 100 | N/A | 3/13/2026 | Source |
| Iowa | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 100 | N/A | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Kansas | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | Two percent of the party’s total voter registration from the district | $145 | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Kansas | State Senate | Unaffiliated | Four percent of the registered voters from the district; at least 25 signatures of Kansas voters but no more than 5,000 voters | $120 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Kentucky | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $200 | 1/9/2026 | Source |
| Kentucky | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 100 | $200 | 4/1/2026 | Source |
| Maine | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 100 | N/A | 3/16/2026 | Source |
| Maine | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 200 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Maryland | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the eligible voters for the district | $50 | 2/24/2026 | Source |
| Maryland | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 10000 | $50 | 7/6/2026 | Source |
| Massachusetts | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Massachusetts | State Senate | Unaffiliated | N/A | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Michigan | State Senate | Democratic or Republican | 500 | $100.00 | 4/21/2026 | Source |
| Michigan | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1500 | N/A | 7/16/2026 | Source |
| Minnesota | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | $100.00 | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Minnesota | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 500 | N/A | 6/2/2026 | Source |
| Missouri | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $300 | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| Missouri | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 2% of the total number of voters who voted at the last election for candidates for the office being sought or is equal to 10,000 voters, whichever is less | N/A | 7/27/2026 | Source |
| Montana | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $15 | 3/4/2026 | Source |
| Montana | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 341 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Nebraska | State Senate | All candidates | 10% of registered voters of the applicable political subdivision who voted for Governor in 2022 | $120 | Incumbents: 2/17/2026; Non-incumbents: 3/2/2026 | Source |
| Nevada | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $100.00 | 3/13/2026 | Source |
| Nevada | State Senate | unaffiliated | N/A | $100.00 | 6/22/2026 | Source |
| New Hampshire | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 20 | $10 | 6/12/2026 | Source |
| New Hampshire | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 750 | $10 | 8/5/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 3% of the total vote of the candidate’s party in the district or 17 voters, whichever is greater. | N/A | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| New Mexico | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of the total number of votes cast for governor at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected, | N/A | 6/27/2026 | Source |
| New York | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1000 | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| New York | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 3000 | N/A | 5/26/2026 | Source |
| North Carolina | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 5% of the registered voters in the district | 1% of the annual salary of the office sought | 12/19/2025 | Source |
| North Carolina | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 200 | 1% of the annual salary of the office sought | 12/19/2025 | Source |
| North Dakota | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of the total population of the legislative district | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| North Dakota | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 2% of the total population of the legislative district | N/A | 4/6/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | State Senate | Major party | 50 | $85 | 2/4/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | State Senate | Minor party | 25 | $85 | 2/4/2026 | Source |
| Ohio | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 5% or 25 (whichever is less) if the number of votes cast in the district in the last general election for governor was fewer than 5,000, 1% if the number of votes cast in the district in the last general election for governor was 5,000 or more | $85 | 5/4/2026 | Source |
| Oklahoma | State Senate | All candidates | 750 | 2% of the number of registered voters in the district | 4/3/2026 | Source |
| Oregon | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | Whichever is less, 500 or 2% of the number of votes cast in the district for the candidates of the party for presidential electors at the last presidential election | $85 | Incumbents: 3/3/2026, New candidates: 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Oregon | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of the number of votes cast in the district for president | N/A | Incumbents: 8/18/2026, New candidates: 8/25/2026 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | $100 | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 2% of the largest vote cast in the district for any officer elected at the last preceding election. | $100 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Rhode Island | State Senate | All candidates | 100 | N/A | 6/24/2026 | Source |
| South Carolina | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $416 | 3/30/2026 | Source |
| South Carolina | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 5% of the active, registered voters in the district | $416 | 7/15/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 1% of votes cast for the party's gubernatorial candidate in the last election, or 50, whichever is less | N/A | 3/31/2026 | Source |
| South Dakota | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election | N/A | 4/28/2026 | Source |
| Tennessee | State Senate | All candidates | 25 voters registered in the candidate's district | N/A | 3/10/2026 | Source |
| Texas | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 500 | $1,250 | 12/8/2025 | Source |
| Texas | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 500 | N/A | 12/8/2025 | Source |
| Utah | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 2000 | $50 plus 1/8 of 1% of the total salary for the full term of office | 1/8/2026 | Source |
| Utah | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 5% of the registered voters residing within the district | $50 plus 1/8 of 1% of the total salary for the full term of office | 6/15/2026 | Source |
| Vermont | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | 100 | N/A | 5/28/2026 | Source |
| Vermont | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 100 | N/A | 8/6/2026 | Source |
| Washington | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | No fewer than the dollar amount of the filing fee | 1% of the office’s fixed annual salary | 5/8/2026 | Source |
| Washington | State Senate | Unaffiliated | No fewer than the dollar amount of the filing fee | 1% of the office’s fixed annual salary | 5/8/2026 | Source |
| West Virginia | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $200 | 1/31/2026 | Source |
| West Virginia | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 1% of the vote cast at the last preceding general election for the office, but no less than 25 | $200 | 8/3/2026 | Source |
| Wisconsin | State Senate | All candidates | 400 | N/A | 6/1/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | State Senate | Ballot-qualified party | N/A | $100 | 5/14/2026 | Source |
| Wyoming | State Senate | Unaffiliated | 2% of votes cast for the office in the last general election | $100 | 8/24/2026 | Source |
Local elected officials
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Footnotes
