HTY 301:Career Explorations: Exploring Elections

Political Party Websites*

*Independents have no party affiliation, and cannot vote in any primary election in Florida, as it is a closed primary system.

As our society has become more complex and bureaucratic, its much more complicated to run for office. In Florida, there are a lot of forms and processed needed to get on a ballot.

Keep in mind:

Florida is a Closed Primary State - Only voters registered with a political party can vote in that party’s Primary Election.

When to announce candidacy?

• Candidacy may be announced at any time;
• Must file Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9) with the Supervisor of Elections' office before any contributions are accepted or expenditures are made (1063021, Florida Statutes);
• Must file a Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84) within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes). The Statement of Candidate is provided by the Supervisor of Elections;
• A judicial candidate must file a Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office (Form DS-DE 83) within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes). The Statement of Candidate is provided by the Supervisor of Elections.
• Legislative Candidates must contact the filing officer with the Department of State Division of Elections.

Is it possible to run for a different office after becoming a candidate?

Yes, under 106.021 (1)(a), Florida Statutes, you may change your mind and run for a different office after becoming a candidate, providing that you do the following;

• File a new Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, designating the new office;
• Withing 15 days of the new appointment, notify, in writing, all contributors and offer to return their contributions in full or pro rata. The Request for Return of Contributions (Form DS-DE 86) may be used for such purpose;
• If, after 30 days from this notice, the contributor has not requested his contribution to be returned, you may use the funds in the campaign for your newly designated office.