What is a candidate?
A candidate is defined in 97.051(5), Florida Statute, as any person to whom any one or more of the following applies:
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Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of the petitioning process;
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Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;
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Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives his or her consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with a view to bringing about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;
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Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository;
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Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate’s oath as required by law.
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However, this definition does not include any candidates for a political party executive committee.
Filing Officers:
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Division of Elections for state, multi-county, district and judicial offices (except county court judges)
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Indian River County Supervisor of Elections for county court judge and countywide offices
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Municipal Clerk for municipal offices
What is included in the filing process?
To become a candidate, official forms must be filed with the appropriate filing officer.
Required Forms
Form DS-DE 9, Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates must be filed with the filing officer to become a candidate. This must be filed before opening a campaign account. A candidate may appoint a campaign treasurer and designate a campaign depository at any time prior to the date the candidate qualified for office.
Form DS-DE 84, Statement of Candidate must be filed with the filing officer within ten (10) days after filing Form DS-DE 9. This form states that the candidate has received, read, and understands the requirements of Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.
Deputy Treasurers
A candidate for an office voted upon statewide may appoint not more than 15 deputy campaign treasurers and any other candidate or political committee may appoint not more than 3 deputy campaign treasurers.