Flagler County Candidates

Interested in becoming a candidate in Flagler County? This section of our Web site was created to provide the information you need for a successful campaign. 

 View local candidates and political executive committee information.

What is a Candidate?

A candidate is defined in 97.021(3), Florida Statues, as any person to whom any one or more of the following applies:

• Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of a petitioning process;
• Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;
• Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives their consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with a view to bringing about their nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;
• Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository; or
• Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate's oath as required by law.

However, this definition does not include any candidate for a political party executive committee.

CANDIDATE QUALIFYING DATES

Federal and Judicial Offices

• Qualifying Dates: Noon, April 26, 2010 - Noon, April 30, 2010
• Petition Dates: Date Pre-filed through Noon, March 29, 2010
  (Does not apply to Supreme Court or DCA)

State, Multi-County and District Offices

• Qualifying Dates: Noon, June 14, 2010 - Noon, June 18, 2010
• Petition Dates: Date Pre-filed through Noon, May 17, 2010

*Note: Federal, State, Multi-County and Judicial Offices file their qualifying paperwork with the State Division of Elections. County and Special District offices file their qualifying paperwork with the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections. Qualifying papers will be accepted beginning May 31, 2010, pursuant to Section 99.061(8), F.S.

Residency Requirements

• County Commission candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of being elected to office;
• School Board candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of qualifying;
• If required, one's current position or office must be resigned under the "resigned to run" law (99.012(3), Florida Statutes).

When do I announce my candidacy?

Candidacy may be announced at any time, however candidates must:

• File an Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9) with the Supervisor of Elections office before any contributions are accepted or expenditures are made (106.021, Florida Statutes). The DS-DE 9 must be filed with the Supervisor of Elections office BEFORE a bank account is opened and prior to collecting petition signatures.
• File a Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84) within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes). 
• The above forms can be obtained from the Division of Elections Web site or by visiting the Supervisor of Elections office.

Is its possible to run for a different office after I become a candidate?

Yes, under 106.021(1)(a), Florida Statutes, you may change your mind and run for a different office after becoming a candidate, providing that you do the following before the end of the qualifying period:

• File a new Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, designating the new office;
• Within 15 days of the new appointment, notify, in writing, all contributors and offer to return their contributions in full or pro rata. The Request for Return of Contributions (Form DS-DE 86) may be used for such purpose;
• If, after 30 days from this notice, the contributor has not requested his contribution to be returned, you may use the funds in the campaign for your newly designated office.