1. If an individual is seeking office as a Republican or Democratic candidate, must he/she be registered as a member of that specific party?
Yes. Candidates must be eligible to vote in their party’s primary to have their name printed on the ballot as a candidate of that party.
2. If an individual is seeking office as an Independent or Political Group/Organization candidate, must he/she be registered Independent or registered as a member of a Political Group/Organization?
Yes, except for certain city candidates detailed on page 30. A candidate’s registration status can not be Republican or Democrat on January 1st preceding the general election for which the person seeks to be a candidate.
3. What is the deadline date to change party affiliation to be a candidate of a specific party or an Independent or Political Group/Organization candidate?
December 31st is the last date for an individual to change party affiliation with the county clerk to be eligible as a candidate in the subsequent primary of that specific party or to be eligible as an independent or political group/organization candidate in a general election.
4. If an individual is a registered Republican or Democrat and does not file for office as a Republican or Democratic candidate, may he/she seek office as an Independent candidate in the general election?
No, except for certain city candidates detailed on page 30. To be eligible as an Independent candidate in a general election, the candidate must have changed his/her party affiliation by the deadline of December 31st preceding the general election for which the person seeks to be a candidate.
5. What is the earliest date that a candidate may affix signatures on the document to be filed?
Signatures shall not be affixed on the document to be filed prior to the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the year in which the office will appear on the ballot.
6. What is the earliest date that an individual may file as a candidate (excluding Presidential Preference Primary) for an office?
A candidate (excluding a Presidential Preference Primary) can not file earlier than the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the year the office will appear on the ballot.
7. What is the candidate filing deadline for offices on the ballot in 2010?
Republican and Democratic candidates:
January 26, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Notification and Declaration
Most Independent and Political Group/Organization candidates:
April 1, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Statement of Candidacy
August 10, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Nominating Petition
Nonpartisan Judicial candidates:
January 26, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Court of Justice Petition for Nomination
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor candidates:
August 10, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Nominating Petition
Nonpartisan Mayor and City Legislative Body candidates:
January 26, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Nominating Petition
(Primary NOT waived)
Nonpartisan Mayor and City Legislative Body candidates:
August 10, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Nominating Petition
(Primary waived)
Board of Education (School Board Member) candidates:
August 10, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Nominating Petition
Write-In candidates:
October 22, 2010 4:00 p.m., local time Declaration of Intent
8. With whom does an individual file papers to be a candidate?
If the office sought is for a nonpartisan judicial office or if the office sought is voted for by the electors of more than one (1) county, documents are filed with the Office of the Secretary of State.
If the office sought is voted for by electors of the county or a district less than a county, documents are filed with the county clerk.
9. How much does it cost a candidate to file for office?
The filing fee is determined by the office sought. See pages 2-7.
10. What form of payment is acceptable for the filing fee?
The Office of the Secretary of State accepts personal checks, campaign account checks, cash or money order. Candidates who file with the county clerk should contact the county clerk in their county of residence for acceptable forms of filing fee payment.
11. How many signatures does an individual need to file as a candidate?
If filing as a Republican or Democrat: 2
If filing as an Independent or Political Group/Organization candidate, the required number varies by office:
State officer or any officer for whom all the electors of the state are entitled to vote 5,000
United States Representative 400
County officer, Member of the General Assembly, Commonwealth’s Attorney 100
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor 25
Magistrate/Justice of Peace and Constable 20
Board of Education (School Board Member) 2
City Officer 2
12. Which filing form does an individual use to file as a candidate for the nonpartisan Board of Education (School Board Member), Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor or City Office?
The filing form is a Nominating Petition (SBE 60A) on page 39. In addition to filing the Nominating Petition, Board of Education (School Board Member) candidates are required to file an Affidavit for School Board Candidacy and Membership on page 40.
13. Must a candidate be registered with a specific party affiliation to file for a Nonpartisan Judicial Office?
No. The candidate must be a registered voter, but all judicial offices are nonpartisan.
14. What is the deadline for an individual to withdraw as a candidate in the 2010 election?
A candidate may withdraw his/her name at anytime; however, if the candidate does not want his/her name to appear on the ballot, the withdrawal must be filed:
Latest date for name NOT to be printed on primary ballot: February 8, 2010
Latest date for name NOT to be printed on general ballot: August 23, 2010
15. Which office files a Notice of Candidate Withdrawal?
The Notice of Candidate Withdrawal must be filed with the same filing official (Secretary of State or county clerk) that received the candidate’s filing documents.
16. If a candidate withdraws, will the filing fee be returned?
No. There is no statutory authority for returning a filing fee.
17. When must a candidate file reports relating to campaign contributions or campaign expenditure?
For information regarding campaign contribution and campaign expenditure reporting requirements, contact the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance at (502) 573-2226.
18. If a candidate has a change of campaign treasurer, who should he/she contact?
The candidate should contact the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance at (502) 573-2226.
19. What are the most common errors made by candidates seeking ballot access?
1. The title of office and district number (when applicable) is omitted or improperly stated.
2. The name the candidate wishes to appear on the ballot does not conform to the statutory requirements of KRS 118.129.
3. The candidate fails to sign and/or the document is not properly notarized.
4. The candidate fails to verify voter registration and party affiliation of the two persons signing the filing documents.
5. The candidate fails to submit the required filing fee or file by the deadline date and time.