Are you thinking of running for office? What is involved? What are the requirements? Valuable information is available to assist you in your decision making!
First, please contact your local Democratic County Party here for additional information to assist you with your decision on whether or not to become a candidate.
Thank You for considering to run for elected office! Good Luck!
Don’t know what office positions are available this election cycle? Please contact your local county board of elections for information.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENT GUIDE
The 2020 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.
ELECTIONS CALENDAR
The 2020 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 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.
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
The Contribution Limit Chart is adjusted for inflation in each odd-numbered year.
This publication is available in electronic format only.
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:
- 2020 Judicial Candidate Seminar Schedule
- 2020 Judicial Candidate Handbook
- 2020 Judicial Candidate Seminar Presentation – Board of Professional Conduct
- 2020 Campaign Finance Presentation for Judicial Candidates – Ohio Secretary of State
- Judicial Campaign Conduct and Finance Rules – Includes all provisions effective as of December 1, 2019
- 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 2017 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 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 your local county board of elections
or
the appropriate listed contact as provided above.
Do you have questions about voting?
Check out: www.IWill Vote.com
Ohio Voter Eligibility and Residency Requirements
NOTE:
17 year olds may register to vote 30 days prior to an election.
If you will be 18 on or before the March 17, 2020, Primary Election Day,
you may vote in the Primary Election and the November 3, 2020, General Election.
Voter Registration (Online)
Voter Registration Form (PDF)
Am I registered to vote?
Am I registered at the right address?
Update Your Ohio Voting Address (Online)
Am I registered under my correct name?
Where do I vote?
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
Ex-Offenders – Find a New Direction: Reclaim Your Right to Vote