Candidate FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can run for office?

Age and residency qualifications vary by position, but you must be a registered voter to run.

Q: What do I have to do to run for office?

The first step is to file for office by submitting paperwork that officially declares your candidacy. This can be done at any time, but must be done before you start campaigning. After filing, you are required to submit regular financial reports detailing campaign contributions and expenditures.

Qualifying takes place during a scheduled time period and is the process by which you assure your name will be on the ballot. That’s when additional paperwork, along with any required fees or petitions will be due.

Q: Does it cost money to be a candidate?

Not necessarily. You have to pay a qualifying fee or collect petitions to have your name placed on a ballot. The qualifying fee is waived if you submit enough petitions.

Q: How are the qualifying fees set?

Fees are based on a percentage of the salary of the office you’re seeking, and whether you are running with a political party affiliation.

Q: Which offices are partisan and which are nonpartisan?

School board, judicial and municipal offices are nonpartisan. All other elected offices in Hillsborough County are partisan. In accordance with Florida law, you must be a registered member of the political party for which you are seeking nomination for 365 days before the beginning of qualifying. You may also run for any office without party affiliation. Any person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate with no party affiliation must not have been a registered member of any political party for 365 days before the beginning of the candidate qualifying period. (F.S. 99.021)

Q: Will the Supervisor of Elections Office help me fill out the required forms?

We’ll give you forms and official candidate guidelines provided by the state. However, we are by law a ministerial agency, which means we cannot advise you on your paperwork.