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Getting on the Ballot

"Anyone who wants to run for office ought to first be a person of integrity. [They should] want to serve the people that will elect them to office, have an interest serving in that office and an interest in representing the people."

Wilson Goode
Former Mayor of Philadelphia
1984-1992

Any candidate running for public office must go through a series of steps to get on the ballot. This includes filing paperwork, obtaining signatures from voters and reporting political finances.

Any candidate running on the Republican or Democratic ticket must fill out a nomination petition and obtain a certain number of required signatures.

Important Tip: Make sure the petition is signed by a circulator, including all of their personal information. The affidavit must have signatures attached.

Signature requirements for petitions for public offices may be obtained by calling the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, Department of State: 717-787-5280.

Any candidate running for an independent party must fill out a nomination paper and obtain a certain number of required signatures.

Candidates filing papers must obtain signatures from qualified registered electors of the district in an amount equal to at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast for an elected candidate at the last election within the district.

Important tip: Make sure the petition is signed by a circulator, including all of their personal information. The affidavit must have signatures attached.

Signature requirements for papers for public offices may be obtained by calling the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, Department of State: 717-787-5280.

Remember your deadlines! Nomination petitions must be circulated and filed between the 13th Tuesday and the 10th Tuesday preceding the primary. Nomination papers must be circulated and filed between the 10th Wednesday preceding the primary and August 1st of each year.

This form must be filed with the State Ethics Commission, which requires the filer to set forth information regarding the filer's sources of income. For more information, visit the State Ethics Commission website or call 1-800-932-0936.

Each candidate must file an affidavit naming the candidate's residence, election district and the name of the office the candidate is seeking.

For additional information, please contact the PA Department of State at 717-787-5280
or visit our website