Filing requirements for congressional candidates
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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.
2018 filing deadlines
See below for candidate filing deadlines by state for 2018. States are listed in alphabetical order.
Alabama
February 9, 2018
Alaska
June 1, 2018
Arizona
May 30, 2018
Arkansas
March 1, 2018
California
March 9, 2018
Colorado
March 20, 2018
Connecticut
June 12, 2018
Delaware
July 10, 2018
Florida
May 4, 2018
Georgia
March 9, 2018
Hawaii
June 5, 2018
Idaho
March 9, 2018
Illinois
December 4, 2017
Indiana
February 9, 2018
Iowa
March 16, 2018
Kansas
June 1, 2018
Kentucky
January 30, 2018
Louisiana
July 20, 2018
Maine
March 15, 2018
Maryland
February 27, 2018
Massachusetts
June 5, 2018
Michigan
April 24, 2018
Minnesota
June 5, 2018
Mississippi
March 1, 2018
Missouri
March 27, 2018
Montana
March 12, 2018
Nebraska
March 1, 2018
Nevada
March 16, 2018
New Hampshire
June 15, 2018
New Jersey
April 2, 2018
New Mexico
March 13, 2018
New York
April 12, 2018
North Carolina
February 28, 2018
North Dakota
April 9, 2018
Ohio
February 7, 2018
Oklahoma
April 13, 2018
Oregon
March 6, 2018
Pennsylvania
March 20, 2018
Rhode Island
June 27, 2018
South Carolina
March 30, 2018
South Dakota
March 27, 2018
Tennessee
April 5, 2018
Texas
December 11, 2017
Utah
March 15, 2018
Vermont
May 31, 2018
Virginia
March 29, 2018
Washington
May 18, 2018
West Virginia
January 27, 2018
Wisconsin
June 1, 2018
Wyoming
June 1, 2018
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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