Declaration of Candidacy
The Declaration of Candidacy is a required form that all candidates must file to officially become a candidate. On the Declaration of Candidacy , candidates declare which office they are running for, how their name shall appear on the ballot, and whether they request a ballot designation. If a candidate requests a ballot designation, they must complete a Ballot Designation Worksheet (see section E for more information) . The Declaration of Candidacy will be available at the start of the candidate filing period, which begins on February 4, 2026, and an original document with a wet signature must be delivered to the Registrar of Voters’ office by 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026. Once filed with the Registrar of Voters, the Declaration of Candidacy becomes a public record and is available for viewing by the public upon request.
Candidates running for a city office must pick up and file the Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk for that city.
Ballot Designation
Candidates may elect to have a ballot designation appear under their name on the ballot. A ballot designation describes that candidate’s principal profession, vocation or occupation. Candidates who choose to have a ballot designation must declare on the Declaration of Candidacy that they request to have a ballot designation and complete a Ballot Designation Worksheet . For offices that are nominated at the primary election and proceed to a run-off at the general election, the candidate’s approved ballot designation shall remain the same for both elections unless the candidate changes the designation at least 98 days prior to the general election.
Selecting / Submitting a Ballot Designation
Candidates who choose to have a ballot designation must complete the Ballot Designation Worksheet . The Ballot Designation Worksheet is a form that a candidate uses to propose and justify the use of their chosen ballot designation. The Ballot Designation Worksheet must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026, and cannot be changed by the candidate after that date. • Prior to selecting a ballot designation, candidates should review the ballot designation rules and regulations (see section 2). • For federal and state offices, the Secretary of State will review the completed Ballot Designation Worksheet and decide if the candidate’s proposed ballot designation is acceptable for printing on the ballot. • For city offices, the City Clerk will review the completed Ballot Designation Worksheet and decide if the candidate’s proposed ballot designation is acceptable for printing on the ballot. • For County, school district, and special district offices, the Registrar of Voters staff will work closely with candidates during the filing period to review their proposed ballot designation(s) as well as supporting documentation to ensure compliance with the ballot designation laws and regulations.
20
Page 73
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online