What papers do I file to run for office?
Candidates must file two forms before officially qualifying:
- Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates, Division of Elections form DS/DE 9 – this form must be filed with the appropriate qualifying officer before the acceptance of any contribution or the expenditure of any funds by the candidate, including expenses by the candidate from their personal funds.
- Statement of Candidate, Division of Elections form DS/DE 84 – this form must be filed with the qualifying officer within 10 days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository form.
- NOTE: Judicial Candidates are required to also file the Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office, Division of Elections form DS/DE 83 - this form must be filed with the qualifying officer within 10 days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository form.
Once a candidate has filed the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, the qualifying officer will notify the candidate and their treasurer of the reporting dates for campaign treasurer’s reports. These reports show who contributed money to the candidate and how the candidate spent the money. Campaign treasurer reports are also filed with the qualifying officer. The qualifying officer can guide the candidate on which forms to file.
You can find the above forms on the Florida Division of Elections website.
Where do I file?
The qualifying period is from noon on the 120th day before the primary election, to no later than noon on the 116th day before the primary election for candidates for:
- Federal office
- State attorney
- Public defender
- Judicial office
The qualifying period is from noon on the 71st day before the primary election, to no later than noon on the 67th day before the primary election for candidates for:
- State office
- Multi-county district office
- County office
- School board office
- Any other district office
2026 Qualifying Dates
County Judge Qualifying Dates: Noon, April 20, 2026 through Noon, April 24, 2026
All Other Candidates Qualifying Dates: Noon, June 8, 2026 through Noon, June 12, 2026
Per Florida Statute 99.061(8), 14 days before the beginning of qualifying, we can accept and hold qualifying documents. The documents will not be processed until qualifying begins. Office will be closed in Observance of Memorial Day on May 25th. Documents may be mailed or dropped off at the SOE drop box located at the entrance of the office.
You will be able to schedule an appointment to complete your qualifying documents in person beginning on May 26th at the Supervisor of Elections Office using a link (to be provided closer to qualifying) in 30 minutes appointment slots. Can begin scheduling 2 weeks in advance for May 26 - June 12 noon. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at [email protected].
Link to schedule appointment for Pre-qualifying and Qualifying will be provided closer to qualifying.
Who is the qualifying officer?
The qualifying officer for a statewide or multi-county candidate is the Division of Elections in Tallahassee.
The qualifying officer for all county candidates is the county Supervisor of Elections.
The qualifying officer for municipal candidates is the City/Town Clerk – candidates for municipal offices should verify qualifying dates with the appropriate municipality.
How much does it cost to run for office?
The qualifying fee is either 4% of the annual salary for nonpartisan candidate positions, or 6% of the annual salary for partisan candidate positions.
- The filing fee is 3% of the annual salary of the office sought.
- The election assessment fee is 1% of the annual salary.
- The party assessment fee for partisan candidates is 2% of the annual salary.
The qualifying fee is based on the annual salary of the office sought as of July 1 the year before qualifying.
Campaign Year 2026 Qualifying fees are To-Be-Decided based on Pending Information
For reference ONLY the 2024 Qualifying Fees – the actual 2026 fees are likely to be slightly more than this
| Office Sought | Salary* | 3% Filing Fee |
1% Election Assessment |
2% Party Assessment |
TOTAL FEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts | $193,419.00 | $5,802.57 | $1,934.19 | $3,868.38 | $11,605.14 |
| Comptroller | $193,419.00 | $5,802.57 | $1,934.19 | $3,868.38 | $11,605.14 |
| County Commissioner | $113,608.00 | $3,408.24 | $1,136.08 | N/A | $4,544.32 |
| County Judge | $180,616.00 | $5,418.48 | $1,806.16 | N/A | $7,224.64 |
| Property Appraiser | $193,419.00 | $5,802.57 | $1,934.19 | $3,868.38 | $11,605.14 |
| School Board Member | $48,400.00 | $1,452.00 | $484.00 | N/A | $1,936.00 |
| Sheriff | $229,269.00 | $6,878.07 | $2,292.69 | $4,585.38 | $13,756.14 |
| Supervisor of Elections | $193,419.00 | $5,802.57 | $1,934.19 | $3,868.38 | $11,605.14 |
| Tax Collector | $193,419.00 | $5,802.57 | $1,934.19 | $3,868.38 | $11,605.14 |
| Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor |
$0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $25.00 |
| All Community Development & Improvement Districts |
$0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $25.00 |
*Waiting on Updated Salary Information
Can I use petitions instead of paying a qualifying fee?
Candidates have the option to waive the qualifying fee by collecting petitions instead. However, you may not collect signatures until you file the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository form.
The number of signatures required is based on the number of registered voters as of the previous general election’s book closing.
The Division of Elections creates the petition form, and it is available through the qualifying officer. You must use the official petition format.
The deadline for submitting petitions to the Supervisor of Elections is noon on the 28th day before the first day of the qualifying period of the office being sought.
Candidates should verify how many petition signatures are needed and the deadline for submitting petitions with the qualifying officer.
Download the Petition Form (Division of Elections Website)
2026 Petition Information
The following petition qualifying information is as of the November 2024 General Election book closing.
|
Type of Office |
Number of Voters |
Signatures Required |
|
Countywide Office |
Countywide total registered voters: 836,940 |
1% = 8,369 signatures required |
|
County Commissioner |
836,940 divided by *8 county commission districts |
1% = 1,046 signatures required |
|
County Judge |
Countywide total registered voters: 836,940 |
1% = 8,369 signatures required |
|
School Board District 1 |
School Board District 1 had 110,318 voters |
1% = 1,103 signatures required |
|
School Board District 2 |
School Board District 2 had 121,272 voters |
1% = 1,213 signatures required |
|
School Board District 3 |
School Board District 3 had 119,623 voters |
1% = 1,196 signatures required |
|
School Board District 4 |
School Board District 4 had 133,106 voters |
1% = 1,331 signatures required |
|
School Board District 5 |
School Board District 5 had 88,805 voters |
1% = 888 signatures required |
|
School Board District 6 |
School Board District 6 had 138,574 voters |
1% = 1,386 signatures required |
|
School Board District 7 |
School Board District 7 had 125,129 voters |
1% = 1,251 signatures required |
|
Special District |
N/A |
25 signatures required |
*The Orange County Charter was amended to 8 county commission districts in 2024-
This also means that since this will be a year of reapportionment, any candidate for a county commission district in 2026 may obtain the required number of signatures from any registered voter in Orange County, regardless of the district boundaries.