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Run for public office

Find the right filing authority and prepare for a local, city, county, state, territorial, congressional, or presidential campaign. Filing rules vary by jurisdiction and office; verify every deadline with an election official.

Find filing instructions where you live

Address lookup only identifies public geographical jurisdictions. It does not prove residency, eligibility or any filing deadline. No address is stored by our site.

Your candidacy checklist

Confirm legal qualifications: age, citizenship, residency and district Verify the filing official and candidate filing window Check petition signature or filing fee requirements Review partisan / nonpartisan ballot-access procedures Review campaign-finance registration and disclosures Research ethics, conflicts of interest and public-record rules Plan accessibility, languages and public forums Save copies of forms and written election-office guidance

FEC federal candidate guide ↗State election offices ↗

Federal vs. local: U.S. House, Senate and presidential candidates generally trigger FEC registration when contributions or expenditures exceed $5,000, with filing deadlines after the threshold. But ballot access is controlled through state-specific procedures. County, city, township and school district offices may have entirely different filing officials and qualifications.

Before you file

Confirm the exact office and election cycle, boundaries, party designation, petition formats, filing fees, candidate training, and whether your elections office requires in-person filing.

Campaign compliance

Ask about campaign bank accounts, contribution limits, reporting dates, campaign websites, disclaimers on ads, records retention, and public disclosures.

After filing

Verify ballot placement, forums, debate rules, accessibility obligations, reporting schedules, recount procedures, and certification dates.