Running for Office

Overview of Ballot Access in Pennsylvania

This document outlines the procedures for candidates seeking countywide or municipal office in Pennsylvania. It details three primary methods to appear on the ballot: through party nomination petitions, as an independent via nomination papers, or through a write-in campaign.

Getting on the Ballot: Nomination Petitions

Candidates seeking the Republican or Democratic nomination must file a Nomination Petition and a Statement of Financial Interests with the County Board of Elections before the deadline for the Election Year.

• Petition Requirements: The petition must be signed by registered voters who are enrolled members of the candidate's party and reside in the electoral district.
• Financial Disclosure: Candidates must file a Statement of Financial Interests regarding their income sources. A copy must also be filed with the governing authority of the office sought by the petition deadline.
  • Resources: Information is available at www. ethics. state. pa. us or by calling the State Ethics Commission at 1-800-932-0936.
• Outcome: Candidates who win the party nomination in the Primary automatically appear on the November General Election ballot.

Getting on the Ballot: Nomination Papers (Independent Candidates)

Individuals may run as independents, bypassing the Primary to compete directly in November.

• Eligibility: Candidates cannot be registered members of a political party. They must withdraw from their party registration at least 30 days prior to the Primary Election and remain unaffiliated through the November Election.
• Restrictions: Candidates may not participate in the Primary in any way, including filing nomination petitions or running a write-in campaign.
• Signature Requirements: Candidates must obtain signatures from qualified registered voters equal to at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast for an elected candidate in that district during the last election. This number cannot be less than what is required for party candidates for the same office.

Getting on the Ballot: Write-In Campaigns

Candidates may conduct a write-in campaign in the Primary, November election, or both.

• Ballot Appearance: The candidate's name does not appear printed on the official ballot; voters must physically write it in.
• Primary Winners: If a write-in candidate wins the Primary, they must complete and return acceptance forms by the established deadline. Failure to do so means their name will not appear on the November ballot.

Determining Ballot Position

• Primary Elections: A drawing determines the order of names. The lowest number drawn appears first.
• General Elections:
  • The party of the Governor is listed first.
  • For offices requiring a vote for more than one candidate, names are listed by the number of votes received in the Primary (highest vote-getter first).

Campaign Finance Reporting

All candidates for public office (excluding Poll Worker positions) must file reports regarding contributions and expenditures intended to influence an election.

• Waiver: Candidates with no financial activity must complete the "Waiver of Expense Account Reporting Affidavit" on the back of their Nomination Petitions. This is the only opportunity to waive filing obligations.
• Committees: Candidates may authorize a committee to handle finances. The committee must have a chairperson and a treasurer (who cannot be the same person).
• Filing Threshold: Reports of receipts and expenditures must be filed if the amount received, expended, or liabilities incurred exceeds $250.
• Separation: Candidates must file a campaign finance report separate from the report filed by their authorized political committee.