Want to run for political office in Ohio? Here’s what you need to know and when you need to act.
Dates to know
Feb. 4 is the deadline to file for the May 5 primary election. That’s the deadline for party nominees — like Republicans or Democrats — but independent candidates can file as late as May 4, the day before the primary.
How to qualify
If you’re planning to run for office, you’ll need to stop by your county Board of Elections office to pick up a petition packet, which you’ll need to collect the required number of signatures to get on the ballot in your respective race.
The Hamilton County Board of Elections has associates on site to answer your questions about filing, with no appointment necessary.
Even write-in candidates need to declare their interest in a particular position — the deadline for write-in candidates is Feb. 23 for the primary and Aug. 24 for the general election.
What positions are open?
Positions are open at the federal, state and county levels:
Federal offices
- 1 US Senate seat
- All 15 US House seats
Ohio state offices
- Ohio Governor
- Ohio Attorney General
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Ohio Treasurer
- Ohio Auditor
- 2 of 7 Ohio Supreme Court seats
County offices
- County Commissioner or County Council
- Prosecuting Attorney
- County Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
- County Sheriff
- County Recorder
- County Treasurer
- County Engineer
- County Coroner
- County Auditor
- Municipal Court Clerk
Not your year to run? Don’t forget to vote. April 6 is the deadline to register or update your registration to vote in the May 5 primary.