A candidate is defined in 97.021(7), Florida Statues, as any person to whom any one or more of the following applies:
- Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of a petitioning process;
- Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;
- Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives their consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with a view to bringing about their nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;
- Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository; or
- Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate’s oath as required by law.
However, this definition does not apply to any candidate for a political party executive committee.
Candidates may announce their intention to be a candidate at any time. However, prior to collecting or spending any money and prior to collecting any petitions, a candidate must submit the follow Filing Forms:
- DS-DE 9: Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository with the Supervisor of Elections’ office before any contributions are accepted or expenditures are made (106.021, Florida Statutes);
- DS-DE 84: Statement of Candidate – within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes).
- DS-DE 83 (Judicial candidates only): Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes)
Different offices have different residency requirements. Make sure to check the office you are interested in before filing.
- County Commission candidates for districts 1-5 must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of being elected to office;
- School Board candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of assuming office;
- If required, one’s current position or office must be resigned under the “resigned to run” law (99.012(3), Florida Statutes).
Yes, under 106.021(1)(a), Florida Statutes, you may change your mind and run for a different office after becoming a candidate, providing that you do the following:
- File a new Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, designating the new office;
- Within 15 days of the new appointment, notify, in writing, all contributors and offer to return their contributions in full or pro rata. The Request for Return of Contributions (Form DS-DE 86) may be used for such purpose;
- If, after 30 days from this notice, the contributor has not requested his contribution to be returned, you may use the funds in the campaign for your newly designated office.
* Pre-qualifying begins two weeks before
