Candidates

This page contains information on local candidates, as well as information on how to file and run for office.

Candidate Information

You can view a list of candidates for the next upcoming election on our candidate list page. This page also provides links campaign finance reports and filed campaign documents.

Filing and Qualifying Information

We maintain a list of local offices that will be up for election in the upcoming election cycle. Please visit our Offices Up for Election page for more information.

You can view specific information on how to file and qualify for local office in 2026 on our Election Information for Candidates page.

For information on filing and qualifying as a statewide or multi-county candidate, please visit the Division of Elections’ Candidates and Committees webpage.

Key Qualifying Dates - 2026 Election Cycle

Party Change Deadline

A person seeking nomination as a candidate of a political party must be a member of that political party for the 365 days before the beginning of the qualifying period. (Section 99.021(1)(b), Florida Statutes)

A person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate with no party affiliation cannot be a member of any political party for the 365 days before the beginning of the qualifying period. (Section 99.021(1)(c), Florida Statutes)

Party change deadline for local candidates: Sunday, June 8, 2025

Petition Deadline

Deadline for judicial candidates to submit petitions to the Elections Office: Monday, March 23, 2026
Deadline for county and municipal candidates to submit petitions to the Elections Office: Monday, May 11, 2026

Qualifying Period

In order to qualify for office, candidates must file their qualifying paperwork with our office during the qualifying period.

Judicial Candidate qualifying dates: Noon, Monday April 20 - Noon, Friday April 24, 2026. Candidates may submit their paperwork starting on Monday, April 6, but it will not be processed until the start of the qualifying period.
County and municipal candidate qualifying dates: Noon, Monday, June 8 - Noon, Friday, June 12, 2026. Candidates may submit their paperwork starting on Monday, May 25, but it will not be processed until the start of the qualifying period.

Residency Requirements for Local Candidates

County Judge – Must be a resident of Leon County at the time of assuming office. (Op. Div. Elect 94-04; 92-10)
Constitutional Officers (Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Clerk of the Court, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, and Superintendent of Schools) – Must be a resident of Leon County at the time of assuming office. (Op. Div. Elect 94-04; 92-10)
Leon County Commissioners (Section 2.2(1), Leon County Charter)
- For district seats: Must be a resident of the Leon County district for which they seek election at the time of qualifying.
- For at-large seats: Must be a resident of Leon County at the time of qualifying.
School Board Members – Must be a resident of the School Board district at the time of assuming office. (Section 1001.361, Florida Statutes)
Tallahassee Mayor and Commissioners – Must be a resident of the City of Tallahassee for at least 365 days prior to the first day of the qualifying period. (Section 7-21(a-b), City of Tallahassee Municipal Code)
Leon County Soil and Water Conservation District - Must be a resident of Leon County at the time of qualifying. (Section 582.19, Florida Statutes)

Resign-to-Run

Florida has a resign-to-run law. An officer may not qualify as a candidate for another state, district, county, or municipal public office if the terms or any part of the terms would overlap with each other if the person were to be elected and did not resign from the office the person presently holds. Officers should carefully review the resign-to-run regulations to ensure they comply with the requirements.