39 W. Oneida Street, Preston, ID 83263
208-852-1090
Candidate Filing Information
To become an official candidate on the ballot, you must
- be a registered voter in your district, and;
- meet the qualifications of the office, and;
- formally declare your candidacy
- follow campaign finance laws
Candidate Requirements [pdf]
HOW TO FILE FOR COUNTY & LOCAL/DISTRICT OFFICES
Filing period for the May 19, 2026 Primary: March 2- 13, 2026 (County Offices & Precinct Committeeman)
Filing period for the November 3, 2026 General Election: August 17-28, 2026 (Soil Conservation District)
NEW! Candidates can now file online using the new online candidate filing system. Candidates will be able to file a declaration of candidacy, track their filing status and search filed candidates all in one online system.
HOW TO FILE ONLINE:
1. Visit the online candidate filing system on voteidaho.gov
2. Search for your voter record
3. Select the race you are running for
4. Complete the required information
5. Review, electronically sign and submit your candidate filing form
When filing online, you may either pay the $40 filing fee or submit a physical copy of your petition signatures to the County Clerk's Office by 5:00pm on Friday, March 13. Petition for Candidacy [pdf]
All online filings will be reviewed by our office for accuracy and compliance with filing requirements. Once the review is complete, your status will be updated from Submitted to Approved.
FILING IN PERSON:
You can file in person at the County Clerk's Office by submitting your declaration of candidacy form and either paying the $40 filing fee or submitting a petition of candidacy form. Forms will only be accepted during the Candidate filing period beginning Monday, March 2 through 5:00pm Friday, March 13th.
Declaration and Petition for Candidacy - County Office [pdf]
Declaration of Candidacy- Precinct Committeeman [pdf]
Declaration and Petition for Candidacy-Special Districts (Soil Conservation District) [pdf]
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
Write-In Candidates must file a Declaration of Intent with the corresponding district office before 5:00 p.m. on the filing deadline for the election in which they are running.
May Election Filing Deadline: March 20, 2026
November Election Filing Deadline: September 4, 2026
Write-In Declaration of Candidacy- County Office [pdf]
Write- In Declaration of Candidacy- Precinct Committeeman [pdf]
Write-In Declaration of Candidacy- Special Districts (Soil Conservation District) [pdf]
WITHDRAWING AS A CANDIDATE
Candidates may withdraw their candidacy by submitting the Withdrawal of Candidacy Form before the withdrawal deadline.
May Election Withdrawal Deadline: March 20, 2026
November Election Withdrawal Deadline: September 4, 2026
Withdrawal of Candidacy Form [pdf]
TO FILE FOR STATE & FEDERAL OFFICES
You must file for State, Federal or Presidential Offices through the Secretary of State's Office.
The Candidate filing window for federal, statewide and judicial offices for the May 19, 2026 Primary Election is February 23- 27, 2026 and all filings must be completed with the Secretary of State's Office. Please visit voteidaho.gov for more information.
CANDIDATE RESOURCES
Candidate Name Pronunciation form [pdf] This form will help us pronounce your name correctly while programming our assistive voting devices.
Campaign Finance
As a candidate you must keep track of all your contributions and expenditures related to your campaign. More information is available on the campaign finance page.
Quick Guide for Candidates:
Local Level [PDF]
Campaign Signs
All campaign materials (signs, flyers, mailings, ads, etc..) should contain a disclosure statement. For example: "Paid for by Mickey Mouse for Mayor".
Election signs are not to be erected 60 days prior to the election and must be removed withing one (1) week following the election.
No electioneering within 250 ft of a polling location on election day.
County Sign Ordinance [pdf]
Campaign Signs State Statues [pdf]
Polling locations
Election maps
