Running for Office

The information provided below is a BRIEF overview of what it takes to become a candidate.
Requirements may vary depending on the specific office for which you seek to qualify.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Kemie Mahan,
Voter Services Manager and Candidate Qualifying Officer at (904) 269-6350

2026 Candidate Filing Packet

Clay County 2026 Candidate Handbook

Candidate Frequently Asked Questions

A candidate must file before:

•    Opening a campaign account
•    Collecting petitions
•    Accepting contributions
•    Making any expenditures

Who can become a Candidate? (Section 99, F.S.)

To become a candidate for a Clay County office, you must:
•    Be a qualified elector (registered voter) of Florida.
•    Adhere to DE Reference Guide 0008; Guidelines for Determining When Residency Qualifications for Elected Office Must be Met.
•    Write-in candidates must follow requirements of the office sought.
•    If required, one’s current position of office must be resigned under the “resign to run” law (99.012(3), F.S.)

What is a Candidate? (Sections 97.021(6), or 106.011(3), F.S.)

“Candidate” means a person to whom any one or more of the following applies:
•    Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of the 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 contributions 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.
•    Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate’s oath as required by law.

This definition does not include any candidate for a political party executive committee.

Candidate Status

Announced Candidate:

Any person who has made a public statement of intent to run for public office. This person MAY NOT collect petition signatures, open a checking account, accept any contributions or expend funds until he/she becomes a FILED CANDIDATE.

Filed Candidate:

Any person who has appointed a campaign treasurer, designated a campaign depository for the purpose of depositing campaign contributions, and files for DS-DE 9 (Appointment of Campaign Treasurer) with the filing officer. AFTER the DS-DE 9 has been officially filed with the filing officer, this person MAY collect signatures, open a checking account, accept contributions or expend funds.

Candidate Filing Paperwork

(Sections, 106.021, 106.023, and 105.031, F.S.)

Can be submitted at any time up until Noon on the last day of the qualifying period. Qualifying paperwork must also be submitted during the qualifying period in order for the candidate’s name to be printed on the ballot.

Links to all paperwork may be found on the Reference Handbooks and Forms page.

• DS-DE 9 Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Depository

Within 10 days of filing the DS-DE 9, must also file:

• DS-DE 84 Statement of Candidate
• Candidate Acknowledgement
• Judicial Candidates Only- Must also file DS-DE 83 Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office

Special District Candidates who don’t intend to collect contributions or make expenditures file an Affidavit of Intention instead of the DS-DE 9.