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🗳️ Two Options to Qualify: Petition or Fee:
☑️ Requirements for Qualifying:
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Now that you’ve filed, you’re officially a candidate - Congratulations! But your work has only just begun. Candidates are required to meet one of two qualification thresholds to officially get their name on the ballot. Whether you plan to qualify by submitting petitions or paying the qualifying fee, you need to start working now. Review our Qualifying for the Ballot Guide to plan your qualifying strategy.
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All Federal candidates must decide to qualify either by paying a fee or by petition and submit qualifying documents to the appropriate qualifying officer by April 24th, 2026. Candidates may turn in qualifying documents as early as April 6th, 2026. For additional information about qualifying dates visit the Division of Elections Qualifying Information page.
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For more information, check out Federal Candidates: Filing For Office .
All candidates, regardless of qualifying method, must turn in this document by the qualifying deadline. For additional guidance on completing the oath, see this recording and the **Federal Qualifying Handbook.**
🏠 The address listed on your candidate oath must match your voter registration. Campaign office addresses, PO boxes, etc. will not be accepted.
✒️ Florida Law prohibits an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) from performing notary services for you. To avoid delays in qualification and to avoid challenges, we recommend that your notary does not share the candidate’s last name.
If you have met the requirement to qualify by petition, no check is required, but candidate oath must still be submitted.
📝 Only checks are accepted, no cash or money orders. Check must be signed by the campaign’s listed treasurer and be from an official campaign bank account.
NOTE for Bank Accounts and Temporary Checks: Some candidates may not open a campaign bank account with enough time to receive official campaign checks to qualify. Candidates should contact banks before opening an account to ensure the branch provides temporary checks. If you pay the qualifying fee using a temporary check, candidates should provide proof of account with official bank documentation when submitting their qualifying papers to the DOE.
❌ Bank of America, Regions, and TD Bank DO NOT provide temporary checks.
✅ Truist DOES provide temporary checks.