Candidate FAQ's
- When may I announce my candidacy?
- You may "announce" your candidacy anytime. However, 106.02 FS requires you file a DS-DE 9 with your qualifying official before you can accept or expend any money.
- Do I have to designate a treasurer and open a campaign account before I can collect petition signatures?
- Yes. The DS-DE 9 must be filed with qualifying official before collecting petition signatures.
- Do I have to state my party affiliation in my advertisements when I am seeking a partisan office?
- Yes. Generally, political advertisements must include: name, office sought, party affiliation, and the political disclaimer. In addition, if you are not the incumbent seeking office, you must use the word "for" between your name and the office you are seeking.
- What information must be included in the political disclaimer?
- Political ad paid for by the candidate: "Political advertisement paid for and approved by (name of candidate), (party affiliation), for (office sought)." This does not apply to messages used by the candidate if those messages are designed to be worn by a person.
- Is the treasurer responsible for reporting campaign income and expenditures?
- Yes. Please refer to the Calendar of Reporting Dates to see how often these reports are due. Late reports are finable under Florida Statutes.
- How many ways are there to qualify for public office?
- You may pay the qualifying fee which is set by statutes or collect petition signatures. See the Qualifying Fee and Petition Requirement Chart.
- Is there a designated time period for the actual qualifying to take place?
- Yes. See Qualifying Dates.
- Are the reports and the DS-DE 9 the only papers I need to file to be a qualified candidate?
- No. In addition, you must file the following reports:
| Form # | Form Name |
| DS-DE 9 | Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository |
| DS-DE 84 | Statement of Candidacy |
| DS-DE 83 | Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office |
| DS-DE 24 | Loyalty Oath (Partisan Candidates) |
| DS-DE 24A | Loyalty Oath (Write-In Candidates) |
| DS-DE 24B | Loyalty Oath (Non-Partisan Candidates) |
| DS-DE 26 | Loyalty Oath (Judicial Candidates) |
| DS-DE 26A | Loyalty Oath (Judicial Write-In Candidates) |
| CE FORM 6 | Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests |
| CE FORM 1 | Statement of Financial Interests (Special Districts) |
| Qualifying Fee | 6% of salary for partisan; 4% of salary for non-partisan candidates; $25.00 Special Districts |
| Certificate of Signature Verification | The form you received from the supervisor if you qualified by the petition method |
| Special District Candidates | |
| Residency Affidavit (School Board, Co. Commissioners) |