Candidate Information
First Things First
The road to getting your name on the ballot can sometimes seem very complicated. Before starting your journey, please get become acquainted with the process. Stop by the Voter Registration office, where we can walk you through the basics and supply you with any forms you need. Candidates should also read through the very helpful Candidate Bulletin published by the Department of Elections. This bulletin explains all the requirements, forms, policies, laws and best practices for aspiring candidates. It is the candidate’s responsibility to know and follow all such guidelines. There may be legal consequences for not doing so. The staff at the Voter Registration Office is always happy to help candidates, but any mistakes you make are yours.
Offices on the November 5, 2019, General and Special Election Ballot
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Sheriff
Commissioner of Revenue
Treasurer
Member, School Board at Large
Member, Board of Supervisors Districts Four
Member, Board of Supervisors Districts Five
Member, School Board District Four
Member, School Board District Five
Soil and Water Conservation Director, Eastern Shore District (Two positions)
Member Cheriton Town Council, Special Election
The Five Important Forms
In order for a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot, the following forms must be filed with the Voter Registration office. These forms are available in our office, or you can link to the form on the Department of Election’s website. The deadline for all forms to be completed and filed in the Voter Registration Office is June 11, 2019, at 7:00p.m.
Notes:
-
The Declaration of Candidacy, Certificate of Candidate Qualification and Petitions of Qualified Voters must all be notarized. We have notaries at the County offices that will do this free of charge during regular working hours.
-
Candidates for Soil and Water Conservation Director have to collect at least 25 petition signatures; all other offices have to collect at least 125 signatures.
-
Petitions are tricky. The Declaration of Candidacy must be filed before the petitions can be counted. Please be sure the petition is filled out correctly and signed and notarized correctly so that the petition and its signatures are valid. We are happy to help you if you have questions.
-
It is recommended that you file the paperwork as you complete it and well before the June 11 deadline, especially petitions. We can help with corrections, but only before the deadline. Also, we can give you a running count on your petition signatures if you request. Nothing will be corrected or counted if it is filed after the deadline.
Campaign Finance
Campaign finance is one of the most complicated issues for candidates. A good place to start is with the Department of Elections guidebook, Summary of Laws and Policies, Candidate Campaign Committees. It is important that every candidate understand the campaign finance process; as helpful as we like to be here at Voter Registration, we cannot give candidates any advice or help with their campaign finance reports according to Department of Elections guidelines.
Tips:
-
A candidate can be exempt from filing all scheduled reports except the final report if they do not take contributions and spend less than $1,000 of their own money during the campaign. Many local candidates use this option. Fill out the Exemption from Reporting form and turn it in to our office.
-
Candidates have ten days from their first expenditure or contribution to file their Statement of Organization.
-
Candidates who will take contributions are encouraged to use COMET for campaign finance reports. COMET is a software program that works like other personal finance programs like Quicken and is available free from the Department of Elections website. It sends you email reminders when reports are due and generally makes campaign finance filing easier.
Reminder: All completed forms and petitions must be submitted by 7:00 p.m. June 11, 2019 in the Voter Registration Office.