Interested in becoming a Candidate? > What is involved and what are the requirements to be a candidate?

What is involved and what are the requirements to be a candidate?

Are you thinking of running for office?
Do you know someone who would be a great candidate?
What is involved and what are the requirements?
Valuable information is provided below!

In addition, the Ohio Democratic Party - in partnership
with local county parties -
offers the Main Street Initiative.
Please visit here for more information!
We hope to see you at the next session!

Thank You for considering to run for elected office
and becoming a valued public servant within our community!

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENT GUIDE

The 2021 Candidate Requirement Guide (PDF)
is updated on an annual basis,
contains requirements and guidelines for those
who may decide to run for elected office.
This publication is available in electronic format only.

Judicial candidate information is posted below.

ELECTIONS CALENDAR

The 2020 Elections Calendar - 8.5"x11" (PDF)
and the 2021 Elections Calendar - 8.5"x11" (PDF)
provides dates and information on elections,
campaign finance deadlines and events throughout each year.
Includes Campaign Finance Reporting Dates.
This publication is available in electronic format only.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING CALENDAR

Click here for the
2020 Reporting Calendar with Filing Deadlines.

The 2021 Reporting Calendar with Filing Deadlines
has not been posted yet by the Secretary of State.

The Campaign Finance Reporting Calendar contains filing dates throughout the year.
Filing entities submitting reports to a county board of elections
should contact the board for special election dates and other filing deadlines.
See Ohio Revised Code 3517.10 for complete details of the timing
and requirements for most campaign finance reporting.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE FORMS

Click here for Campaign Finance Forms

CAMPAIGN FINANCE HANDBOOK

Visit here to view or download Campaign Finance Handbook.

The Ohio Campaign Finance Handbook assists all reporting entities in navigating the various regulatory paths established by Ohio law. Each of the handbook’s chapters discusses specific entity types or areas of campaign finance activity and can serve as a map for the reader to understand each area of regulation and reporting applicable to their circumstance. This publication is available in electronic format only.

Local candidates and other political entities can also receive filing information from their local county board of elections. To contact the Erie County Board of Elections, please visit here.

Campaign Finance Statutes and Administrative Rules
Campaign Finance Filing Forms
Campaign Finance E-Filing

CONTRIBUTION LIMIT CHART

Current Limit Chart - PDF
EFFECTIVE:
FEBRUARY 25, 2019 – FEBRUARY 24, 2021

JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct provides a page - link is here - containing information and resources for judicial candidates, members of judicial campaign committees, and other individuals involved in judicial campaigns or interested in rules applicable to judicial campaign conduct. Please refer to the following links:

2021 Judicial Candidate Seminar Schedule
2021 Judicial Candidate Handbook
2021 Judicial Candidate Seminar Presentation - Board of Professional Conduct
2021 Campaign Finance Presentation for Judicial Candidates - Ohio Secretary of State
Judicial Campaign Conduct and Finance Rules - Includes all provisions effective as of October 15, 2020
- The U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, has effectively established an additional exception to the general prohibition against the solicitation of campaign contributions by judicial candidates. See Rule 4.4(A), Code of Judicial Conduct, and AFSCME v. Brunner, et. al., 912 F.Supp. 556 (S.D. Ohio 2012) (Rule 4.4(A) is unconstitutional as applied to judicial candidates who personally solicit campaign contributions from immediate family members).
Contribution Limits for Judicial Candidates - For candidates running for judicial office in 2020, 2021 and thereafter
Campaign Conduct; Enforcement and Sanction Rules
Judicial Campaign Misconduct Case Summaries
Advisory Opinions Relative to Judicial Campaign Conduct and Fundraising
Ohio Elections Commission Advisory Opinions
Statutory Requirements for Newly Elected or Appointed Judges - Oaths, Bonds and Required Documentation
Financial Disclosure for Judges, Magistrates, and Judicial Candidates

The Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct requires all judicial candidates, including incumbent judges, to attend and complete a two-hour seminar on judicial campaign practices. A judicial candidate is required to complete the two-hour training requirement at least one year prior to, or sixty (60) days after, his or her candidacy is certified by the election authority.

The judicial campaign seminars include instruction on ethics rules applicable to judicial campaign conduct, including participation in campaign activities, the content of judicial campaign advertisements, and campaign fundraising activities. The seminar also addresses state law requirements on disclaimers and campaign finance reporting.

The seminars are a collaboration among the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, the Ohio Judicial College, and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.

Judicial candidates are encouraged to bring their campaign treasurer and volunteers to the seminar. The seminars are offered at no cost to attendees, and no preregistration is required. Judges and attorneys attending the seminar receive two hours of continuing legal education credit.

If you have any questions regarding any of the judicial information above, please refer to the contacts listed below:

Ohio Board of Professional Conduct
65 South Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3431
614.387.9370

Questions re: Canon 4
(campaign conduct and fundraising):
Richard A. Dove, Esq., Director
614.387.9370

D. Allan Asbury, Esq., Senior Counsel
614.387.9370

Questions re: Ohio Elections Laws (campaign finance reporting and disclaimers):

Brian Katz, Director
Campaign Finance Division
Ohio Secretary of State
614.728.6855 | bkatz@ohiosecretaryofstate.gov

Jason Long
Campaign Finance Division
Ohio Secretary of State
614.728.0956 | jlong@ohiosecretaryofstate.gov

QUESTIONS?

If any questions concerning any of the above information,
please contact the Erie County Board of Elections:
419.627.7601
or
the appropriate contact listed as provided above for Judicial candidates.