Becoming a Candidate

Becoming a Candidate 2024 [PDF] - Updated 03-25-2024

Candidate Bootcamp Session [PDF] - Updated 1-20-2024

What is a Candidate?

A Candidate is defined in Florida Statute 97.021(5) as any person to whom any one or more of the following applies:

• Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of a petitioning process;
• Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;
• Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives his or her consent for any other person to receive contribution or make expenditures, with a view to bringing about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;
• Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository; and/or
• Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate's oath as required by law.

However, this definition does not include any candidate for a political party executive committee.

Who can be a Candidate?

You must be a registered voter in Volusia County to run for local public office.

• County Council candidates shall be a qualified elector of The County, and shall have been a resident of The County for two years immediately preceding the date on which they qualify to run for office (County Charter, Sec 302). 
• District County Council candidates shall have resided within the district from which they are elected for at least six months prior to the date on which they qualify to run for office (County Charter, Sec 302). 
• School Board candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of qualifying. For specific requirements regarding qualifying as a candidate for School Board, please contact Volusia County Schools. 
• Resign to Run Law (Florida Statute 99.012(3)) - If required to resign from one's current position or office, the resignation is irrevocable, and the written resignation must be filed by:
  • April 12, 2024 for Circuit Court Judge, County Judge, State Attorney and Public Defender
  • May 31, 2024 for all other candidates

When to announce Candidacy?

Candidacy may be announced at any time.

• You MUST file an Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9) with the Supervisor of Elections Office before any contributions are accepted, before opening a campaign account and before expenditures are made (F.S. 106.23).
• Yoy MUST file a Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84) with-in ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (F.S. 106.23).
• Candidates for County Judge MUST file a Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office (Form DS-DE 83). 

When and Where to File Qualifying Papers?

Qualifying is the final step that allows a candidate to have his or her name on the ballot.
Qualifying MUST be finalized during the assigned dates.

When

• Judicial, State Attorney and Public Defender
  • Noon April 22, 2024 - Noon April 26, 2024
• U.S. Senator, Representative in Congress, Statewide, Multi-County, County and Special District
  • Noon on June 10, 2024 - Noon on June 14, 2024
• Municipal Candidates qualifying dates may vary according to municpal charters. Contact your municipality for dates.

Where

• For federal, state, or multi-county offices, you MUST file your qualifying papers with the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections.
• For county and special district offices, you MUST file your qualifying paper with the Supervisor of Elections.
  • Qualifying papers for county and special district offices will be accepted in our office any time during the qualifying period during normal business hours.
• For municipal offices, you MUST file your qualifying papers wth the City/Town Clerk in your municipality.

Qualifying Forms Required

1. Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9) and Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84), if not already filed with the Supervisor of Elections.
2. Loyatly Oath
   • Partisan Races:
     • With Party Affiliation (Form DS-DE 301A)
     • No Party Affiliation (Form DS-DE 301B)
     • Write-In Candidate (Form DS-DE 301C)
   • Non Partisan Races:
     • Candidates running in a Non Partisan election, with the exception of School Board and Judicial office, (Form DS-DE 302NP)
     • Candidates for School Board (Form DS-DE 304SB)
     • Candidates for Judicial Office (Form DS-DE 303JU)
3. Financial Disclosure
   • Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests (Form 6) for all elected constitutional officers and candidates for such office.
     • Any applicable forms as identified on Form 6.
     • A public officer who has filed a Form 6 for the calendar year 2023 with the Commission of Ethics prior to qualifying for office may file a copy of that form at the time of qualifying.
   • Or
   • Statement of Financial Interest (Form 1) (calendar year 2023)
     • For local officers and candidates for local offices.

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Qualifying Methods (Qualifying Fee or Petition Process)

1. Qualifying Fee
   • The qualifying fee must be on a properly executed check drawn upon the candidate's campaign account (unless otherwise noted).
   • The check must be made payable to the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections.
     • Special District Candidates ONLY, check is not required to be drawn on campaign account.
   • The check must be an amount not less than the fee required.
     • Contact the Supervisor of Elections office for the exact amount of the qualifying fee that is due in advance of the deadline to qualify.
   • Qualifying Fees are comprised as follows:
     • Filing Fee = 3% of the annual salary for the office being sought  as of July 1, 2023
     • Election Assessment Fee = 1% (deposited into the Elections Commission Trust Fund)
     • Party Assessment Fee = 2% (Partisan offices only)
   • Qualifying Fee by office for 2024 is as follows:
     • County Judge - $6,880.60
     • Sheriff - $12,506.70
     • Clerk of the Court - $10,355.76
     • Supervisor of Elections - $10,355.76
     • Property Appraiser - $10,355.76
     • Tax Collector - $10,355.76
     • County Chair - $2,462.02
     • County Council, District 2 - $2,051.68
     • County Council, District 4 - $2,051.68
     • School Board District 2 - $2,009.40
     • School Board District 4 - $2,009.40
     • Special District Offices:
       • West Volusia Hospital Authority - $25.00
       • Volusia Soil & Water Conservation District - $25.00
       • Community Development District (CDD) - $25.00
2. Petition Process
   • Deadline Dates and Petition Requirements are for the 2024 Election Cycle
   • Per F.S. 99.095, a person seeking to qualify for nomination to any office may qualify to have their name placed on the ballot by means of the petitioning process.
   • Candidate Petition Cards (Form DS-DE 104)
     • Per F.S. 99.095(2)(d), in the year of apportionment, petition cards must be properly completed and signed by 1% of the eligible, registered voters of the county as of the last general election, divided by the number of districts of the office involved. 
     • Petition forms are to be reproduced by the candidate (F.S. 99.095 (2) (a)).
   • Petition Requirements for 2024, by office, are as follows:
     • County Judge - 4,124
     • Sheriff - 4,124
     • Clerk of the Court - 4,124
     • Supervisor of Elections - 4,124
     • Property Appraiser - 4,124
     • Tax Collector - 4,124
     • County Chair - 4,124
     • County Council, District 2 - 795
     • County Council, District 4 - 830
     • School Board District 2 - 763
     • School Board District 4 - 853
     • West Volusia Hospital Authority - 25
     • Volusia Soil & Water Conservation District - 25
     • Community Development District (CDD) - 25
   • It is recommended that at least 15% - 20% more signatures be obtained to allow for those that do not meet eligibility requirements.
     • Candidates are encouraged to submit petitions periodically while they are being gathered. 
   • The signed petitions must be submitted to the Supervisor of Elections Office for verification prior to:
     • NOON, March 25, 2024 for Judicial, State Attorney and Public Defender candidates; and
     • NOON, May 13, 2024 for all other candidates.
   • The Supervisor of Elections will notify you, in writing, whether the required number of signatures has been obtained prior to the first day of qualifying.
     • During the qualifying period you will submit the petition certification form, along with your qualifying papers to the Supervisor of Elections.
   • The Supervisor shall be paid in advance the sum of 10 cents for each signature checked. If you are unable to pay such charges without imposing an undue burden on personal resources or upon the resources otherwise available to you, you may file written certification of such inability given under oath to the supervisor and be entitled to have the signatures verified at no charge. (F.S. 99.097)
     • If an undue burden oath has been filed and payment is subsequently made to any person to solicit signatures on a petition, the undue burden oath is no longer valid and a fee for all signatures previously submitted shall be paid by the candidate.
   • If you have submitted the required number of eligible signatures, you will not be required to pay the qualifying fee or party assessment and will be entitled to have your name printed on the ballot.

FAQs

If my qualifying papers are filed with an error or omission, will I be considered disqualified?

• Pursuant to F.S. 99.061 (7), if the filing officer receives qualifying papers that do not include all items required, the filing officer shall make a reasonable effort to notify the candidate of the missing or incomplete items and shall inform the candidate that all required items must be received by the close of qualifying. (NOON, April 22, 2024 for Judicial, State Attorney and Public Defender candidates and NOON, June 10, 2024 for all other candidates)

After filing as a candidate, may I later change the way my name is to appear on the ballot?

• Pursuant to F.S. 99.061 (7) (b), a candidate’s name as it is to appear on the ballot may not be changed after the end of qualifying.

May I get my qualifying fee back if I decide not to run?

• Yes, F.S. 99.092 (1), provides for reimbursement for the qualifying fee, provided that you withdraw your candidacy before the qualifying period ends.

May a candidate appoint himself or herself as campaign treasurer?

• Yes, F.S. 106.021(1)(c), a candidate may appoint himself or herself as campaign treasurer.

How many deputy treasurers may a candidate or political committee have?

• Pursuant to F.S. 106.021(1)(a), Candidates for statewide office may appoint up to 15 deputy treasurers.  Other candidates and political committees may appoint up to 3 deputy treasurers.

If I make a mistake on my report, can I go back in and correct it on the Electronic Filing System (EFS)?

• Once the report is submitted to the Divisin of Electins, the EFS will not permit you to go back and make changes.  In order to correct mistakes or add and delete information, you must submit an amended report.

How long are campaign records kept at the Division of Elections or the Supervisor of Elections Offices?

• Pursuant to F.S. 98.015(5) and 106.22(4), the supervisor shall preserve statements and other information required to be filed with the supervisor's office pursuant to Chapter 106 for a period of 10 years from date of receipt.