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Signature requirements and deadlines for 2026 U.S. Congress elections

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Revision as of 22:00, 14 January 2026 by Ellen Morrissey (contribs) (Created page with "File:Election Dates and Deadlines banner 2026.png {{Candidate access VNT}}{{tnr|limit=2|maxwidth=200px}} 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...")
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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.


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 2026 election cycle.

On this page, you will find:


HIGHLIGHTS
  • The earliest filing deadlines for the 2026 election cycle were in November of 2025 with Illinois on Nov. 3 and Arkansas on Nov. 11. For comparison, the earliest filing deadline earliest filing deadlines for the 2024 election cycle were in November of 2023 with Alabama on Nov. 10 and Arkansas on Nov. 14.
  • The latest filing deadline for the 2026 election cycle are in September of 2026 with Delaware on Sept. 1. For comparison, the latest filing deadline for the 2024 election cycle were in September of 2024 with Delaware and North Dakota on Sep. 3.
  • In 2026, there are 14 states with the same filing deadline for both partisan and unaffiliated candidates. For comparison, there were 13 states with the same filing deadline for both partisan and unaffiliated candidates in 2024.
  • At 63 days, Connecticut, Delaware, and South Dakota have the shortest period between their statewide primaries and partisan filing deadlines in the 2026 election cycle. Tennessee has the longest period with 149 days. For comparison, 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.

    • Filing deadlines and primary dates for congressional candidates

    The following table lists primary dates and filing deadlines for congressional elections in 2026.

    Primary dates and filing deadlines, 2026
    StatePrimary datePrimary runoff dateFiling deadline for primary candidatesSource
    Alabama5/19/20266/16/20261/23/2026Source
    Alaska8/18/2026N/A6/1/2026Source
    Arizona8/4/2026N/A4/6/2026Source
    Arkansas3/3/20263/31/202611/12/2025Source
    California6/2/2026N/A3/6/2026Source
    Colorado6/30/2026N/A3/18/2026Source
    Connecticut8/11/2026N/A6/9/2026Source
    Delaware9/15/2026N/A7/14/2026Source
    Florida8/18/2026N/A4/24/2026[1]
    6/12/2026[2]    		Source
    Georgia5/19/20266/16/20263/6/2026Source
    Hawaii8/8/2026N/A6/2/2026Source
    Idaho5/19/2026N/A2/27/2026Source
    Illinois3/17/2026N/A11/3/2025Source
    Indiana5/5/2026N/A2/6/2026Source
    Iowa6/2/2026N/APrimary: 3/13/2026Source
    Kansas8/4/2026N/A6/1/2026Source
    Kentucky5/19/2026N/A1/9/2026Source
    Louisiana5/16/20266/27/20262/13/2026Source
    Maine6/9/2026N/A3/16/2026Source
    Maryland6/23/2026N/A2/24/2026Source
    Massachusetts9/1/2026N/A6/2/2026Source
    Michigan8/4/2026N/A4/21/2026Source
    Minnesota8/11/2026N/A6/2/2026Source
    Mississippi3/10/20264/7/202612/26/2025Source
    Missouri8/4/2026N/A3/31/2026Source
    Montana6/2/2026N/A3/4/2026Source
    Nebraska5/12/2026N/AIncumbents: 2/17/2026, Non-incumbents: 3/2/2026Source
    Nevada6/9/2026N/A3/13/2026Source
    New Hampshire9/8/2026N/A6/12/2026Source
    New Jersey6/2/2026N/A3/23/2026Source
    New Mexico6/2/2026N/ACandidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026Source
    New York6/23/2026N/A4/6/2026Source
    North Carolina3/3/2026N/A12/19/2025Source
    North Dakota6/9/2026N/A4/6/2026Source
    Ohio5/5/2026N/A2/4/2026Source
    Oklahoma6/16/20268/25/20264/3/2026Source
    Oregon5/19/26N/AIncumbents: 3/3/2026, New candidates: 3/10/2026Source
    Pennsylvania5/19/2026N/A3/10/2026Source
    Rhode Island9/8/2026N/A6/24/2026Source
    South Carolina6/9/2026N/A3/30/2026Source
    South Dakota6/2/20267/28/20263/31/2026Source
    Tennessee8/6/2026N/A3/10/2026Source
    Texas3/3/20265/26/202612/8/2025Source
    Utah6/23/2026N/A1/8/2026[3]
    3/13/2026[4]    		Source
    Vermont8/11/2026N/A5/28/2026Source
    Virginia6/16/2026N/A4/2/2026Source
    Washington8/4/2026N/A5/8/2026Source
    West Virginia5/12/2026N/A1/31/2026Source
    Wisconsin8/11/2026N/A6/1/2026Source
    Wyoming8/18/2026N/A5/29/2026Source


    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 2026. Please note that dates are subject to change.

    U.S. Senate

    Signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for U.S. Senate candidates, 2026
    State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
    Alabama U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A Fixed by party 1/23/2026 Source
    Alabama U.S. Senate 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 U.S. Senate All candidates N/A 100 6/1/2026 Source
    Arizona U.S. Senate Democrat 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers N/A 4/6/2026 Source
    Arizona U.S. Senate Republican 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers N/A 4/6/2026 Source
    Arizona U.S. Senate Libertarian 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers N/A 4/6/2026 Source
    Arizona U.S. 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 U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A Fixed by party 11/12/2025 Source
    Arkansas U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3% of qualified voters in the district, or 2,000, whichever is less N/A 5/1/2026 Source
    Colorado U.S. Senate Major party 1,500 per congressional district N/A 3/18/2026 Source
    Colorado U.S. Senate Minor party 1,000 per congressional district N/A 3/18/2026 Source
    Colorado U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 per congressional district N/A 7/9/2026 Source
    Connecticut U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2% of enrolled party members N/A 6/9/2026 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 6/9/2026 Source
    Delaware U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A 10440 7/14/2026 Source
    Delaware U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of all eligible voters N/A 9/1/2026 Source
    Florida U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy 10440 4/24/2026 Source
    Florida U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy 6960 4/24/2026 [ Source]
    Georgia U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $5,220.00 3/6/2026 Source
    Georgia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 72,336 $5,220.00 7/14/2026 Source
    Idaho U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $500.00 2/27/2026 Source
    Idaho U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 $500.00 8/28/2026 Source
    Illinois U.S. Senate Established parties 5,000 N/A 11/3/2025 Source
    Illinois U.S. Senate Independents 25,000 N/A 5/26/2026 Source
    Iowa U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 3,500, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties. N/A 3/13/2026 Source
    Iowa U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3,500, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties. N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    Kansas U.S. Senate 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 U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5,000 signatures of registered Kansas voters N/A 8/3/2026 Source
    Kentucky U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican 2 $500.00 1/9/2026 Source
    Kentucky U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5,000 $500.00 6/2/2026 Source
    Louisiana U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican 2,500 $3,500.00 2/13/2026 Source
    Louisiana U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2,500 N/A 2/13/2026 Source
    Maine U.S. Senate Qualified party 2,000 N/A 3/16/2026 Source
    Maine U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 4,000 N/A 6/1/2026 Source
    Maryland U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican N/A $290.00 2/24/2026 Source
    Maryland U.S. Senate Non-principal party N/A $290.00 2/24/2026 Source
    Maryland U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 $290.00 7/2/2026 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 10,000 N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 8/25/2026 Source
    Michigan U.S. Senate Democrat or Republican 15,000-30,000 N/A 4/21/2026 Source
    Michigan U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 12,000-60,000 N/A 7/16/2026 Source
    Minnesota U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2,000 $400.00 6/2/2026 Source
    Minnesota U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    Mississippi U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $300 12/26/2025 Source
    Mississippi U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 12/26/2025 Source
    Missouri U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/31/2026 Source
    Missouri U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 7/27/2026 Source
    Montana U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A 1% of annual salary 3/4/2026 Source
    Montana U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5% of total votes cast for successful candidate in the last general election 1% of annual salary 6/1/2026 Source
    Nebraska U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A 1% of annual salary Incumbents: 2/17/2026, Non-incumbents: 3/2/2026 Source
    Nebraska U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 4,000 1% of annual salary 8/3/2026 Source
    Nevada U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/13/2026 Source
    Nevada U.S. Senate Unaffiliated N/A $500.00 6/22/2026 Source
    New Hampshire U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 200 $100.00 6/12/2026 Source
    New Hampshire U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3,000 $100.00 8/5/2026 Source
    New Jersey U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2,000 N/A 3/23/2026 Source
    New Jersey U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    New Mexico U.S. Senate 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 U.S. Senate 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 U.S. Senate 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 U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2% of all votes cast for governor in the last election N/A 6/27/2026 Source
    North Carolina U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 10,000 $1,740.00 12/19/2025 Source
    North Carolina U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1.5% of all registered N.C. voters who voted in the most recent election for N.C. Governor. $1,740.00 12/19/2025 Source
    Oklahoma U.S. Senate All candidates 2% of the number of registered voters in the state $2,000.00 4/3/2026 Source
    Oregon U.S. Senate 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 U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 22,445 N/A Incumbents: 8/18/2026, New candidates: 8/25/2026 Source
    Rhode Island U.S. Senate All candidates 1,000 N/A 6/24/2026 Source
    South Carolina U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $3,480.00 3/30/2026 Source
    South Carolina U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5% of the active, registered voters in the district N/A 7/15/2026 Source
    Tennessee U.S. Senate All candidates 25 N/A 3/10/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. Senate Republican 1,730 N/A 3/31/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. Senate Democratic 1,615 N/A 3/31/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. Senate Libertarian 50 N/A 3/31/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3,393 N/A 4/28/2026 Source
    Texas U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican 5,000 $5,000.00 12/8/2025 Source
    Texas U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of all votes cast for governor in the last election N/A 12/8/2025 Source
    Virginia U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 10,000 2% of annual salary 4/2/2026 Source
    Virginia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 6/16/2026 Source
    West Virginia U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A 1% of annual salary 1/31/2026 Source
    West Virginia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for this office in the last election, but no fewer than 25 1% of annual salary 8/3/2026 Source
    Wyoming U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $750.00 5/14/2026 Source
    Wyoming U.S. Senate Minor parties N/A $750.00 5/14/2026 Source
    Wyoming U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2% of all votes cast for U.S. Representative in the last election $750.00 8/24/2026 Source

    U.S. House

    Signature requirements, filing fees, and filing deadlines for U.S. House candidates, 2026
    State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
    Alabama U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A Fixed by party 1/23/2026 Source
    Alabama U.S. House Unaffiliated 3% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election N/A 5/19/2026 Source
    Alaska U.S. House All candidates N/A $100.00 6/1/2026 Source
    Arizona U.S. House 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 U.S. House 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 U.S. House 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 U.S. House 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 U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A Fixed by party 11/12/2025 Source
    Arkansas U.S. House Unaffiliated 3% of qualified voters in the district, or 2,000, whichever is less N/A 5/1/2026 Source
    California U.S. House All candidates 40-60 $1,740.00 3/6/2026 Source
    Colorado U.S. House Major party 10% of votes cast for the office in the last primary, or 1,500, whichever is less N/A 3/18/2026 Source
    Colorado U.S. House Minor party 2.5% of votes cast for the office in the last general election, or 1,500, whichever is less N/A 3/18/2026 Source
    Colorado U.S. House Unaffiliated 2.5% of votes cast for the office in the last general election, or 1,500, whichever is less N/A 7/9/2026 Source
    Connecticut U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 2% of enrolled party members N/A 6/9/2026 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 6/9/2026 Source
    Delaware U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $3,480 7/14/2026 Source
    Delaware U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of eligible voters N/A 9/1/2026 Source
    Florida U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy $10,440.00 6/12/2026 Source
    Florida U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy $6,960.00 6/12/2026 Source
    Georgia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $5,220.00 3/6/2026 Source
    Georgia U.S. House Unaffiliated 27,992 $5,220.00 7/14/2026 Source
    Hawaii U.S. House All candidates 25 $75.00 6/2/2026 Source
    Idaho U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 500 $300.00 2/27/2026 Source
    Idaho U.S. House Unaffiliated 500 $300.00 8/28/2026 Source
    Illinois U.S. House Established parties Not less than .5% (.005) of the qualified primary electors of their party in the congressional district N/A 11/3/2025 Source
    Illinois U.S. House Independents Not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater) of the total number of persons who voted at the last regular general election within the congressional district. N/A 5/26/2026 Source
    Indiana U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A N/A 2/6/2026 Source
    Indiana U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of total votes cast for the secretary of state in the district in the last election N/A 7/15/2026 Source
    Iowa U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,726, including at least 47 signatures from ½ of the counties in the district N/A 3/13/2026 Source
    Iowa U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,726, including at least 47 signatures from ½ of the counties in the district N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    Kansas U.S. House Ballot-qualified party Two percent of the party’s total voter registration from the district One percent of the salary of the office plus a $20 administrative fee 6/1/2026 Source
    Kansas U.S. House Unaffiliated Four percent of the registered voters from the district; at least 25 signatures of Kansas voters but no more than 5,000 voters N/A 8/3/2026 Source
    Kentucky U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 2 $500.00 1/9/2026 Source
    Kentucky U.S. House Unaffiliated 400 $500.00 6/2/2026 Source
    Louisiana U.S. House Democratic or Republican 750 $1,500.00 2/13/2026 Source
    Louisiana U.S. House Unaffiliated 750 N/A 2/13/2026 Source
    Maine U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 N/A 3/16/2026 Source
    Maine U.S. House Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 6/1/2026 Source
    Maryland U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1% of the eligible voters for the district $100.00 2/24/2026 Source
    Maryland U.S. House Unaffiliated 10,000 $100.00 7/2/2026 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 2,000 N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    Massachusetts U.S. House Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 8/25/2026 Source
    Michigan U.S. House Democratic or Republican 1,000-2,000 N/A 4/21/2026 Source
    Michigan U.S. House Unaffiliated 3,000-6,000 N/A 7/16/2026 Source
    Minnesota U.S. House Ballot-qualified party[1] 1,000 $300.00 6/2/2026 Source
    Minnesota U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    Mississippi U.S. House Democratic N/A $500.00 12/26/2025 Source
    Mississippi U.S. House Republican N/A $2,500.00 12/26/2025 Source
    Mississippi U.S. House Unaffiliated 200 $500.00 12/26/2025 Source
    Missouri U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 3/31/2026 Source
    Missouri U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 10,000, whichever is less N/A 7/27/2026 Source
    Montana U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 3/4/2026 Source
    Montana U.S. House Unaffiliated 6,128 $1,740.00 6/1/2026 Source
    Nebraska U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 Incumbents: 2/17/2026, Non-incumbents: 3/2/2026 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 8/3/2026 Source
    Nevada U.S. House ballot-qualified N/A $300.00 3/13/2026 Source
    Nevada U.S. House unaffiliated N/A $300.00 6/22/2026 Source
    New Hampshire U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 100 $50.00 6/12/2026 Source
    New Hampshire U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,500 $50.00 8/5/2026 Source
    New Jersey U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 5% of the entire vote cast for members of the General Assembly at the last preceding general election, held for the election of all of the members of the General Assembly, in the district N/A 3/23/2026 Source
    New Jersey U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of the entire vote cast for members of the General Assembly at the last preceding general election, held for the election of all of the members of the General Assembly, in the district N/A 6/2/2026 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Democratic 835[1] N/A Candidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Libertarian 88[1] N/A Candidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Republican 783[1] N/A Candidates seeking pre-primary designation: 2/3/2026; Candidates not seeking pre-primary designation: 3/10/2026 Source
    New Mexico U.S. House Unaffiliated 4,715[1] N/A 6/27/2026 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 4/6/2026 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 5/26/2026 Source
    North Carolina U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 5% of registered voters in the same party or 200, whichever is greater $1,740.00 12/19/2025 Source
    North Carolina U.S. House Unaffiliated 1.5% of all registered N.C. voters in the district, as of January 1 of the election year. $1,740.00 12/19/2025 Source
    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 4/6/2026 Source
    North Dakota U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 4/6/2026 Source
    Ohio U.S. House Major party 50 $85.00 2/4/2026 Source
    Ohio U.S. House Minor party 25 $85.00 2/4/2026 Source
    Ohio U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the vote cast for governor in the district in the last election $85.00 5/4/2026 Source
    Oklahoma U.S. House All candidates 2% of the number of registered voters in the appropriate district[1] $1,000.00 4/3/2026 Source
    Oregon U.S. House Major party The lesser of either 1,000 signatures or 2% of the number of votes cast in the district for the candidates of that major political party for presidential electors at the last presidential election. $150 Incumbents: 3/3/2026, New candidates: 3/10/2026 Source
    Oregon U.S. House Unaffiliated Number of signatures equal to 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 U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $150.00 3/10/2026 Source
    Pennsylvania U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast in the district in the last election $150.00 8/3/2026 Source
    Rhode Island U.S. House All candidates 500 N/A 6/24/2026 Source
    South Carolina U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $3,480.00 3/30/2026 Source
    South Carolina U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of the active, registered voters in the district N/A 7/15/2026 Source
    Tennessee U.S. House All candidates 25 N/A 3/10/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Democratic 1,232 N/A 3/31/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Libertarian 741 N/A 3/31/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Republican 2,171 N/A 3/31/2026 Source
    South Dakota U.S. House Unaffiliated 3,502 N/A 4/28/2026 Source
    Texas U.S. House Democratic or Republican 2% of votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less $3,125.00 12/8/2025 Source
    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 12/8/2025 Source
    Utah U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 7,000 $500.00 3/13/2026 Source
    Utah U.S. House Unaffiliated 5% of registered voters in the district, or 300, whichever is less $500.00 1/8/2026 Source
    Vermont U.S. House Major party 500 N/A 5/28/2026 Source
    Vermont U.S. House Unaffiliated 500 N/A 8/6/2026 Source
    Virginia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $3,480.00 4/2/2026 Source
    Virginia U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 6/16/2026 Source
    Washington U.S. House All candidates 1,740 $1,740.00 5/8/2026 Source
    West Virginia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $1,740.00 1/31/2026 Source
    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 8/3/2026 Source
    Wisconsin U.S. House All candidates 1,000 N/A 6/1/2026 Source
    Wyoming U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $750.00 5/14/2026 Source
    Wyoming U.S. House Minor party N/A $750.00 5/14/2026 Source
    Wyoming U.S. House Unaffiliated 3,891 $750.00 8/24/2026 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. ↑ For the following offices: state supreme court
    2. ↑ For the following offices: U.S. House, governor, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, chief financial officer, state senators, and state representatives.
    3. ↑ For the following offices: State Board of Education, state senator, state representative.
    4. ↑ For the following offices: U.S. House.
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