Running for Office

How to Run for Office
Running for Federal Office

Running for Federal Office

Statutory Filing Period (Subject to Change)

  • March 7, 2026 – April 6, 2026
Required Documents
  • Statement of Interest (Filed online through the Candidate Portal prior to circulating petitions)
  • Nomination Paper (Filed online through the Candidate Portal)
  • Nomination Petitions (Must be filed in-person)
  • Statement on Recall (Optional)

For candidates seeking to run for the nomination of a recognized political party for U.S. Senator, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. The maximum number of signatures required is found by calculating 10% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. Signature requirements for U.S. Senate candidates are the same as for Statewide candidates. (A.R.S. § 16-322).

For candidates seeking to run for the nomination of a recognized political party for Congress, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. The maximum number of signatures required is found by calculating 10% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. Signature requirements for U.S. Senate candidates are the same as for Statewide candidates. (A.R.S. § 16-322).

For candidates seeking to run without a recognized political party designation, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation as of January 2, 2026. (A.R.S. § 16-341).

Running for Statewide Office

Statutory Filing Period (Subject to Change)

  • January 1, 2026 - April 6, 2026 (CCEC Participating Candidates)
  • March 7, 2026 - April 6, 2026 (Traditionally Funded Candidates)
Required Documents
  • Statement of Interest (Filed online through the Candidate Portal prior to circulating petitions)
  • Nomination Paper (Filed online through the Candidate Portal)
  • Financial Disclosure Statement (Filed online through the Candidate Portal)
  • Nomination Petitions (Must be filed in-person)

For candidates seeking to run for the nomination of a recognized political party, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 1/4 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. The maximum number of signatures required is found by calculating 10% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. (A.R.S. § 16-322).

For candidates seeking to run without a recognized political party designation, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation as of January 2, 2026. (A.R.S. § 16-341).

Running for Legislative Office

Statutory Filing Period (Subject to change)

  • January 1, 2026 - April 6, 2026 (CCEC Participating Candidates)
  • March 7, 2026 - April 6, 2026 (Traditionally Funded Candidates)
Required Documents
  • Statement of Interest (Filed online through the Candidate Portal prior to circulating petitions)
  • Nomination Paper (Filed online through the Candidate Portal)
  • Financial Disclosure Statement (Filed online through the Candidate Portal)
  • Nomination Petitions (Must be filed in-person)

For candidates seeking to run for the nomination of a recognized political party, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. The maximum number of signatures required is found by calculating 3% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026. (A.R.S. § 16-322).

For candidates seeking to run without a recognized political party designation, the minimum number of signatures required is found by calculating 3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation as of January 2, 2026. (A.R.S. § 16-341).

Running for Local Office

Candidates seeking election for county or municipal office will file nomination petitions with the appropriate county or municipality. It is the candidate's responsibility to verify the correct form utilized in the jurisdiction in which they are seeking nomination.

All questions about running for local office, including precinct committeemen, should be directed towards the appropriate county, city or town elections office.

County Elections Contact Information

City/Town Contact Information (AZ League of Cities & Towns)

Running as a Write-In Candidate

Candidates running as a write-in candidate do not need to file nomination petitions. However, they must submit the correct write-in nomination paper and a financial disclosure statement (if applicable) via the Candidate Portal.

For write-in candidates who want to run in the Primary Election, the first day to file these forms with the Secretary of State's Office is March 27, 2026 and the deadline is June 25, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

For write-in candidates who choose to forgo participating in the Primary Election and want to be an official write-in candidate at the General Election only, the first day to file these forms with the Secretary of State's Office is June 6, 2026 and the deadline is September 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Creating a Political Party
Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC)
Candidate Portal
Campaign Finance Reporting
Beacon
2024 Election Information
Election Calendar
Elected Office Terms
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Candidate Resources

Log into Candidate Portal

Election Resources

Elections FAQ

An early ballot may be requested through our new Voter Information Portal or by contacting your County Recorder’s office. To have your name placed on the Active Early Voter List (AEVL), complete a new voter registration form and check the box marked “YES, I want to automatically receive an early ballot for each election for which I am eligible.” Or you can log in to Service Arizona and complete this request online.

  • Online – If you have an Arizona Driver License and/or an Arizona non-operating I.D. card issued by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) you may register to vote through Service Arizona EZ Voter Registration
    1. Log on to Service Arizona
    2. Select your language preference, then click “Begin Voter Registration”
    3. Verify your voter eligibility
    4. Enter your information in the required fields
    5. Verify address information
    6. You can now select your party preference

    If you are having trouble logging in to the Service Arizona website, you can print off a Voter Registration Form and fill it out with your new information. After you finish, mail the completed form to your County Recorder’s office and your information will be updated.

    If you do not have a residence address, please also complete a 'No Residence Address Confirmation' in addition to the voter registration form.
  • By Mail – You can either print off a form online or request that a registration form be mailed to you from your County Recorder. After completing the voter registration form, mail it to your County Recorder’s office
  • In-Person – You may visit your County Recorder’s office and fill out a registration form in person
  • Address Confidentiality Program Members – You should only register to vote through the ACP process.

After you have successfully registered to vote you will receive a voter registration card in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

If you are a Maricopa County voter, you can process your request here. If you have any questions please call 602-506-1511.

If you are a Pima County voter, you can process your request here. If you have any questions please call 520-724-4330.

To contact your local Election Official please visit https://azsos.gov/county-election-info

 

The voter registration deadline for the General Election has been extended to 5 p.m. on October 15, 2020 by a court order. Check back here often for this and the other trusted information you need throughout the 2020 election season. All voter registration forms sent by U.S. mail must be received on or before the deadline. To see all voter registration deadlines, including for local elections. To see all voter registration deadlines, including for local elections, go to arizona.vote.

The deadline to update your voter registration or register to vote in an upcoming election is midnight on the 29th day before the election. For the 2020 State Primary Election, the deadline to register or update your registration is midnight on July 6, 2020. For the 2020 General Election, the deadline is midnight on October 5, 2020. To see all voter registration deadlines, including for local elections, go to arizona.vote. All voter registration forms sent by U.S. mail must be postmarked on or before the deadline.

Every qualified elector is required to show proof of identity at the polling place before receiving a ballot. Find out what qualifies as an acceptable form of identification in Arizona.

Yes! Arizona has an open primary law which allows any voter who is registered as independent to cast a ballot for one of the officially recognized political parties in State Primary Elections. Independent voters on the Permanent Early Voting List (AEVL) will receive a postcard in the mail asking them to choose which party ballot they wish to receive for the Primary Election. The corresponding primary ballot will then be sent by mail to the voter to complete approximately 27 days prior to the election. Independent voters who go to the polls on Election Day will be given the option to choose a party ballot at that time.

Note: This DOES NOT apply to the Presidential Preference Election. Voters must be registered with a recognized party to vote in the Presidential Preference Election.

The state of Arizona uses E-qual to verify that the person signing the qualifying slip or nomination petition is eligible to do so. After successful verification, the person can give $5 qualifying contribution slips or sign a nomination petition for candidates the person is eligible to vote for in the election.

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If you need assistance using www.servicearizona.com to register or update voter information, please see our ServiceArizona Guide or reach out to our office at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE.

You do not need postage if you mail your ballot back in Arizona.

All early ballots come with a postage-paid return envelope. There is no need to add postage. Voters should remember to sign and date the return envelope, and to include a phone number in case election officials need to follow up with you.

If you have lost or damaged your ballot-by-mail, you may request a replacement ballot via mail or in-person.

To request a replacement ballot-by-mail, contact your County Recorder’s Office directly. Requests must be made no later than 11 days prior to Election Day. A.R.S. § 16-542(E).

You may also visit a voting location on or before Election Day to vote in-person. Visit my.arizona.vote to find your correct voting location.

The County will cancel your prior ballot if you request a replacement ballot.

No, Official Election Mail cannot be forwarded automatically by the postal service. If you will be out of town during the election, you may request to have your ballot sent to your temporary address. Contact your County Recorder directly to make this request.

To find your County Recorder’s contact information, click here.

You may track the status of your ballot at my.arizona.vote to confirm that it was received and counted.

If you live in Pima County or Maricopa County, check with your county election officials for status updates.

If you have further questions, you can reach out to our office at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE.

You can also reach out to your county recorder’s office (County Election Officials Contact Information) for further assistance.

Contact Elections

Office of the Secretary of State
Elections Division
1700 W Washington St Fl 7
Phoenix AZ 85007-2808

602-542-8683
1-877-THE VOTE

Email Elections

County Elections Contact Information

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