Information for Candidates

WITH WHOM DO I FILE MY CANDIDATE QUALIFYING DOCUMENTS?

Federal, State, Multi-County Candidates - Qualifying Officer: Florida Division of Elections
Municipal Candidates - Qualifying Officer: Municipal Clerk
Pinellas County Candidates - Qualifying Officer: Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections

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2020 CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Offices up for Election in 2020

County Candidate Requirements:

• County Judge Qualifying Requirements
• Constitutional Officers Qualifying Requirements
• County Commissioners Qualifying Requirements
• School Board Members Qualifying Requirements

Special Districts & Community Development District Candidate Requirements:

• East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District Qualifying Requirements
• Lealman Special Fire Control District Qualifying Requirements
• Palm Harbor Special Fire Control & Rescue District Qualifying Requirements
• Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District Qualifying Requirements
• Eastlake Oaks Community Development District Qualifying Requirements
• Clearwater Cay Community Development District Qualifying Requirements

 

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2022 CANDIDATE QUALIFYING PERIODS

County Court Judge Qualifying Period:
April 2022
Dates Coming Soon

County Candidate & Special District Candidate Qualifying Period:
June 2022
Dates Coming Soon

NOTE: F.S. 99.061(8) states that qualifying papers may be submitted to the qualifying officer beginning 14 days prior to the qualifying period.

Qualifying By Fee - Candidates running with political party affiliation must pay 6% of the salary of the office as of July 1, 2021 to qualify by fee. Candidates running with no party affiliation or running in a nonpartisan contest pay 4% of the salary of the office as of July 1, 2021. The qualifying fee must be paid using a check drawn on your campaign account, made payable to the Supervisor of Elections. These fees are due during the pre-qualifying/qualifying period.

The qualifying fee for Special District Candidates is $25.00. This fee must be paid using a campaign check, made payable to the Supervisor of Elections, if you file a DS-DE 9 and open a campaign account or with a personal check, made payable to the Supervisor of Elections, if you file an Affidavit of Intention. These fees are due during the pre-qualifying/qualifying period.

Qualifying By Petition - The qualifying fee is waived if you qualify by petition. The State of Florida provides a Candidate Petition Handbook for additional reference. When collecting petitions, you must use the Florida Division of Elections Candidate Petition Form. Additional County Candidate Petition Information can be found here.

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COUNTY CANDIDATE FORMS & PUBLICATIONS

FORMS:

• Florida Division of Elections - County Candidate Forms
• Florida Commission on Ethics
• Candidate Petition Form DS-DE 104 | (Spanish) 
• Affidavit of Undue Burden (Form DS-DE 19A) | (Spanish)
• Special District Candidate -Affidavit of Intention Form

PUBLICATIONS: 2020 Candidate Reporting Period Deadlines (PDF)
For a copy of the 2020 County Candidate Handbook, please email WGrimes@VotePinellas.com.

 

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FLORIDA ELECTION LAWS & HANDBOOKS

• Florida Election Laws
• State Candidate and Campaign Treasurer Handbook
• State Qualifying Handbook
• Candidate Petition Handbook
• Federal Qualifying Handbook
• Guidelines for Determining When Residency Qualifications for Elected Office Must be Met

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CANDIDATE DATA ORDER INFORMATION

For voter records and other data orders call (727) 464-4958 or email soeit@votepinellas.com.

• Order a copy of the voter file – by district, municipality, or the whole county
• Order current or past mail ballot request information (must be a qualified candidate with opposition)
• Candidates are required to file an Oath of Acquisition with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections before placing data orders regarding mail ballot requests