Run for Office
Serving your community as an elected official starts with getting informed. Whether you’re a first-time candidate or a returning officeholder, we’re here to help guide you through the process from filing to qualifying.
To get started, we strongly encourage you to call our office at 407-585-8683 to schedule an appointment. We’ll walk you through the details specific to your candidacy and ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Who Can Run for Office?
Any registered voter in Seminole County may become a candidate for local office.
Initial Filing Requirements
Before collecting petitions, accepting contributions, or opening a campaign account, you must file the following forms:
- DS-DE 9 – Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository
- DS-DE 84 – Statement of Candidate (must be filed within 10 days of DS-DE 9)
- DS-DE 83 – Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office (if applicable)
You may announce your candidacy at any time, but no financial activity or petition circulation may begin until the above forms are filed.
Initial Filing Requirements
- Candidate and Campaign Treasurer Handbook (Rev. 09/2024)
- 2024 Candidate Petition Handbook (Rev. 01/2024)
- 2024 Political Committee Handbook (Rev. 03/2023)
- 2024 State Qualifying Handbook (Rev. 01/2024)
Qualifying for the Ballot
Submit During the Qualifying Period:
These documents can be submitted starting 14 days prior to the qualifying period:
- Candidate Oath (must be notarized and matched to the office type)
- Qualifying Fee or Petition Certificate
- Form 6 – Full financial disclosure (electronic)
- Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests (for special district candidates)
Qualifying Fees (2026)
Fees are based on a percentage of the annual salary for the office sought:
- County Judge: $7,590.20
- County Commissioner: $6,778.98
- School Board: $2,104.04
- Special Districts (Soil and Water Conservation; Dovera CDD): $25.00
Fees are due during the qualifying week. Petition certification may be used in place of payment if requirements are met.
2026 Qualifying Fees & Information
Where and When to File
All qualifying documents and fees for county-level offices must be submitted to:
Seminole County Supervisor of Elections – 1500 E Airport Boulevard Sanford, FL 32773
2026 Qualifying Dates
- Judicial Offices: April 20 (noon) – April 24 (noon)
- Federal, State, County, and Special District Offices: June 8 (noon) – June 12 (noon)
Alternatives to Paying the Fee
Candidates may qualify by petition. To do so, you must submit the required number of verified signatures by the designated deadline:
- Seminole County Threshold: 3,510 valid petitions
- Petition Deadlines:
- Federal/Judicial Offices: March 23, 2026 (noon)
- State/County/Special District Offices: May 11, 2026 (noon)
Additional Candidate Information
Who is the filing officer?
- Division of Elections: Statewide, multi-county, judicial (except county court)
- Supervisor of Elections: County court judge, countywide, and special districts
- Municipal Clerk: Mayor, city commission, and city council offices
Campaign Finances
- You’ll be required to disclose income sources and assets. For countywide offices, disclosures must include actual values.
- Fundraising reports are generally monthly, with increased frequency near the election.
Campaign Signs and Solicitation Boundaries
- See chart below for signage rules.
- Review our Candidate FAQs for polling place conduct and more.
| County/Municipality | Initial Fees | Building Permit | Removal | Contact | Ordinance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole County | None | Campaign signs are allowed after the candidate’s qualification for an election. No signs are permitted in the ROW or on public property. No signs greater than 32 square feet allowed on a commercial property or 16 square feet on a residential property. Permission must be obtained by the property owner prior to placing signs. No building permit is required for signs less than the 32/16 square foot thresholds. Signs greater than 32 square feet require a building permit. | 7 Days after campaign. Once the candidate is no longer a viable candidate. | Building Division 407-665-7050 | Seminole County – Land Development Code/Chapter 2 Special Event, Sec 30.13.3.-Sign standards, Sec. 30.13.7.-Building permit required |
| Altamonte Springs | None | No signs permitted in the ROW or on public property. No signs greater than 32 square feet on commercial property or 16 square feet on residential property. No building permit is required for signs less than the 32/16 square foot thresholds. | 7 Days after campaign. Once the candidate is no longer a viable candidate. | Building and Fire Safety Department 407-571-8433 | Political Sign Information Acknowledgement Form/Receipt; prrovided by City Clerk. Altamonte Springs Land Development Code, Article III, 3.42.10 – Political Signs |
| Casselberry | None | No political sign is permitted in the public ROW. Temporary political campaign signs no larger than 6 square feet residential property and 32 square feet in commercial districts. All signs must be placed on private property with pre-authorization of property owner. | 7 Days after campaign | City Clerk 407-262-7700 x1133 | City of Casselberry Temporary Political Campaign Sign Placement Criteria: (Section 3-16.4, Article XVI, Signs, Chapter III, Performance Criteria, of the ULDR) |
| Lake Mary | None | No political sign is permitted in the public ROW. Temporary Signs can be no larger than 6 square feet on residential property, 32 square feet commercial property and 64 square feet in commercial/industrial/office zoning districts. | 7 Days after campaign | Community Development 407-585-1459 | Lake Mary Land Development Code – Sign Regulations Table 2 Temporary Signs. |
| Longwood | No permit or fees are required during the election period for temporary ground signs and yard signs meeting the standards of LDC 6.6.0. | Signs 6 square feet or less residential areas and 32 square feet maximum for non-residential areas. No signs are permitted on the ROW or public property. | 7 Days after campaign | City Clerk 407-260-3441 | Longwood Development Code Article VI Signs, Ordinance 22-2220, LDC 6.6.0 Temporary Signs |
| Oviedo | $25 | No signs permitted in the public ROW. No permit is needed if the sign is six square feet or less. Please Note: political campaign signs are prohibited on city property. Exception the placement of political campaign signs or advertisements on City-owned property shall be prohibited unless the property serves as a polling place for an election. Any political campaign sign may be removed by a code enforcement agent if not properly placed acording to city ordinance 1757. | 10 Days after campaign | Permits maybe obtained from Planning Division of Development Services Dept. 407-971-5794 407-971-5759 | Ordinance No. 1757 Section 30-3 Political campaign signs |
| Sanford | $250 (larger than 32 sf) | NNo signs permitted in the public ROW or on public property. No signs greater than 32 square feet on commercial property or 6 square feet per sign, not to exceed a cumulative total of 30 additional square feet assigned a residential/classification. All such campaign signs shall be located on private property. | 7 Days after campaign | Planning & Development Services 407-688-5146 | Schedule K of Land Development Regulations Section 19.0 – Temporary Signs |
| Winter Springs | $45 | No signs permitted in the public ROW. Temporary signs no larger than 6 square feet on residential property and 9 square feet for non-residential property. No temporary sign shall exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in area. | 3 Days after campaign | Building Department 407-327-1800 |
Running in a City Election?
If you’re seeking a municipal office, contact your city clerk for filing information.
City Election Info:
Still Have Questions?
We’re here to help. Visit our Candidate FAQs for more answers or contact our office to speak with a staff member directly.
