State ballot access pages
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Ballot access for major and minor party candidates |
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| Ballot access for presidential candidates |
| List of political parties in the United States |
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In order to get one's name on the ballot as a candidate for elective office, an individual must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, referred to as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are established at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and general elections. 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.
Select a state from the map below to learn more about ballot access requirements for candidates in that state.
Please click through to find information regarding ballot access requirements for political candidates in your state.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
See also
- Ballot access for major and minor party candidates
- State ballot access regulations for presidential candidates
- List of political parties in the United States
