Candidates must begin the process by filing an appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of depository within the Supervisor of Elections Office.

No signatures may be obtained until the candidate has filed the appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign depository, pursuant to F. S. 106.021, F. S.

A person who seeks to qualify as a candidate for any office and who meets the petition requirements is not required to pay the qualifying fee or party assessment.

A candidate shall obtain the number of signatures of voters in the geographical area represented by the office sought equal to at least 1% of the total number of registered voters of that geographical area for the last preceding general election (2008).

All special district candidates shall qualify by paying a filing fee of $25.00 or qualify by the petition process (25 signatures) pursuant to s. 99.095, Florida Statutes.

The format of the petition shall be prescribed by the Division of Elections and shall be used by candidates to reproduce petitions for circulation.  The Supervisor of Elections does not provide petitions for candidates.

If the candidate is running for an office that requires a group or district designation, the petition MUST indicate that designation and if it does not, the signatures are not valid.

Noon: May 17, 2010