Qualifying
The information on this page applies to candidates for county office, who qualify with our office. Candidates for federal, state or multi-county offices should contact the Florida Division of Elections.
Candidates must qualify to run for office by submitting qualifying forms and a qualifying fee. In lieu of paying a qualifying fee, you may choose to qualify by petition or as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates' names do not appear on the ballot.
Our office can begin accepting qualifying forms and fees during the pre-qualifying period, which takes place 14 days prior to the official qualifying dates.(Forms and fees will then be processed on the first day of qualifying week.) All qualifying forms and fees (if applicable) must be received no later than noon on the last day of the qualifying period. Qualifying forms may be emailed to candidate@votehillsborough.gov or mailed to Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, Attn: Candidate Services, 2514 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619. Qualifying checks may not be emailed, and should be mailed to this address.
ATTENTION: Recent law (s. 11 of Chapter 2021-11, Laws of Florida) requires a person seeking nomination as a candidate of a political party to be a member of that political party for the 365 days BEFORE the beginning of the applicable qualifying period. Additionally, the law requires a person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate with no party affiliation to not be a member of any political party for the 365 days BEFORE the beginning of the applicable qualifying period.
Qualifying Dates
Judicial Candidates: Noon, April 25, 2022 – Noon, April 29, 2022 (We will begin accepting qualifying documents on April 11, 2022, as per F.S. 99.061(8))
All Other Candidates: Noon, June 13, 2022 – Noon, June 17, 2022 (We will begin accepting qualifying documents on May 30, 2022, as per F.S. 99.061(8))
Qualifying Methods
Qualifying By Fee
Your qualifying fee must be paid using a check drawn on your campaign account, made payable to the Supervisor of Elections, and signed by the treasurer. These fees are due the week of qualifying, but can be turned in during the pre-qualifying period. For additional information on qualifying fees, click here.
Qualifying By Petition
The qualifying fee is waived if you qualify by petition. For information about petition requirements and verification fees, click here.
- Candidate Petition Form (DS-DE 104)
- Affidavit of Undue Burden - Candidate (DS-DE 19A)
Petitions and payment can be mailed to or dropped off at Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, Attn: Candidate Services, 2514 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619.
For information about the offices up for election in 2022, click here.
