The information on this page should answer many of the questions you may have about filing for office, but it is not comprehensive. It is your responsibility, as a candidate, to follow all relevant Florida election laws and local charters that might have a bearing on your filing or your qualifications to run for office.

Where To File

Where you file to run for office depends on the office you’re seeking. Our office serves as the filing and qualifying officer for the offices listed on our Offices Up for Election webpage. If you’re running for a federal, state or multi-county seat, the Florida Division of Elections is your qualifying officer. 

Required Forms

DS-DE 9 (PDF) - Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository
(The DS-DE 9 is not required of candidates running for special districts, including community development districts. If you are a special district candidate who does not plan to collect campaign contributions and whose only campaign expense will be the filing fee or petition signature verification fee, you may instead file this Affidavit of Intention (PDF).)  

DS-DE 84 (PDF) - Statement of Candidate (attesting you have been provided access to read and understand the requirements of Chapter 106, F.S.)

DS-DE 83 (PDF) - Judicial Candidates only - Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office (attesting you have received, read, and understand the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct)

Timeline

You must file form DS-DE 9, Appointment of Campaign Treasurer, before opening your campaign account, accepting any contributions, making any campaign expenditures, or collecting petitions. This form must be hand-delivered or mailed to our office. 

Within 10 days of filing form DS-DE 9, you must file form DS-DE 84, Statement of Candidate, and if you are a candidate for Judicial Office, you must also file a DS-DE 83, Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office.

What to Expect

Once you file to run with our office, you will receive an email from our office, and your name will be added to the list of Local Candidates posted on our website.

As soon as you have filed a DS-DE 9, you will be obligated to file regular financial reports throughout your campaign. The email you receive will include our Calendar of Reporting Dates and login credentials that you and your campaign treasurer will use to file those reports electronically.  You can also find our Calendars of Reporting Dates posted on the campaign finance login page of our website. 

Filing is only the first step in running for office. It's a good idea to take a few minutes now to learn what you will need to do to qualify for office. Qualifying takes place during a specific timeframe, as outlined in Florida election law.