Filing requirements for congressional candidates
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| Select a state below to learn more about ballot access requirements for candidates in that state. |
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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, a congressional candidate must meet a variety of filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether and how a candidate can appear on an election ballot. Because these laws are adopted and enforced at the state level, filing requirements vary from state to state. In general, there are three methods by which an individual can become a congressional candidate:
- 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.
This article provides general information about federal and state requirements for congressional candidates. Filling deadlines for 2018 are also provided.
Requirements to run for congressional office
Federal requirements
Although specific filing processes are set by the states, the United States Constitution does establish the following qualifications for congressional candidates:[1]
| “ | No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.[2] | ” |
Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the only agency authorized to regulate the financing of federal election campaigns, including campaigns for the United States House of Representatives). The states cannot impose additional requirements on federal candidates. Federal law requires all candidates to file a statement of candidacy within 15 days of receiving contributions or making expenditures that exceed $5,000. The statement of candidacy is the only federally mandated ballot access requirement for congressional candidates; all other ballot access procedures are mandated at the state level. The candidacy statement authorizes "a principal campaign committee to raise and spend funds" on behalf of the candidate. Within 10 days of filing the candidacy statement, the committee must file a statement of organization with the FEC.[3][4]
State requirements
In order to have his or her name printed on an election ballot, a congressional candidate must generally do one or both of the following: collect and file petition signatures or pay registration fees. Requirements vary from state to state and according to the type of candidate (e.g., major party candidate, minor party candidate, independent candidate, etc.). To learn more about specific ballot access requirements, select a state from the map below.
Filing deadlines
2019
See below for candidate filing deadlines by state for 2020. States are listed in alphabetical order.
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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 |
2018
See below for candidate filing deadlines by state for 2018. States are listed in alphabetical order.
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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
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2016 U.S. Congress elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2014 U.S. Congress elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 U.S. Congress elections
- Signatures needed for independent candidates to qualify for United States House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state government elections
Footnotes
- ↑ National Archives, "The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription," accessed December 7, 2012
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "The FEC and Federal Campaign Finance Law," updated January 2015
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Quick Answers to Candidate Questions," accessed August 13, 2015
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