SUMMARY: STATE LAWS REGARDING PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT ACCESS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION Updated January 2020
This document provides a summary of the laws in each state relevant to the placement of a candidate for president on the general election ballot, and the
requirements for a presidential candidate to run as a write-in candidate. Generally, a presidential candidate nominated by a political party that meets certain
criteria is placed on the general election ballot. The criteria is often based on a threshold number of votes cast at a recent election for a particular office or offices.
A number of states provide an alternative mechanism for an organization to qualify in order to nominate candidates, for example by filing a petition or having a
certain number of voters affiliated with the organization. Additionally, all states have a procedure for independent candidates, and in some cases individual
presidential candidates of a political organization, to obtain ballot access. Most states also permit a presidential candidate to be a write-in candidate, and many of
these states require that the candidate file a notice prior to the election.
The summary for each state includes the timeframes for certifying the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential
electors; the requirements for a political party to be eligible to nominate a presidential candidate; the number of signatures required on a petition in order for a
presidential candidate to obtain ballot access; a description of any additional ballot access methods where applicable; and the timeframes required for filing a
notice in order to be a write-in candidate for president.
It is important to note that the information in this document is based on a NASS review of relevant state ballot access requirements. This document is intended to
provide a general overview of these requirements. It is not intended as an interpretation of those laws, or as a procedure guide or manual for political parties or
prospective candidates with regard to presidential ballot access. States have a variety of filings and other requirements pertaining to political parties, presidential
candidates, presidential electors, and petitions. Additionally, ballot access laws may change at any time based on new state laws and/or court decisions. Candidates
and political parties should contact the relevant state election office and/or legal counsel for information on the specific rules and requirements for each state.
Additionally, where political parties nominate a candidate, the nomination process varies greatly based on the state, the legal status of each party, and the rules
and procedures of each party. Individuals should contact the political parties for information on the party nomination process.
State
Alabama
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. A political party must certify to the
secretary of state no later than the 82nd day next preceding the day fixed for the election the names of the candidates for president and
vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
A political party is an organization of electors which received more than 20% of the entire vote cast in the state at the last general election.
An organization may also qualify as a political party by filing with the secretary of state on the date of the first primary election a petition
containing the number of signatures equal to or exceeding 3% of electors who cast ballots for the office of governor in the last general
election.
Petition
An independent candidate for president may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
82 days before the election a petition containing the signatures of at least 5,000 qualified electors. The petition must be accompanied by a
list of presidential electors.
Write-In
In all non-municipal elections a voter may write-in the name of any person not included on the ballot.
(Alabama Code §§ 17-6-22, 17-6-27, 17-6-28, 17-6-29, 17-13-40, 17-13-50, 17-14-31).
Alaska
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a recognized political party may be placed on the general election ballot. A recognized political
party must certify to the division of elections no later than the 48
th
day prior to the election the name of the candidates for president and
vice-president. The political party must certify to the director of election no later than September 1
st
the names of the party’s nominees
for presidential electors.
A recognized political party is an organized group of voters whose candidate for governor in the last general election received at least 3%
of the votes cast for that office, or whose number of registered voters is equal to at least 3% of the total votes cast for governor at the last
general election. If the office of governor was not on the ballot at the preceding general election but the office of united states senator
was, the 3% threshold applies to that office. If neither the office of governor nor the office of united states senator was on the ballot, the
3% threshold applies to the office of united states representative.
A limited political party may be organized for the purpose of selecting candidates for presidential electors by filing with the director of
elections at least 90 days before a presidential election a petition signed by a number of qualified voters equal to at least 1% of the
number of votes cast for president at the last presidential election.
Independent Candidate Petition
An independent candidate for president may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the director of elections no later
than the 90th day before a presidential election a petition containing the signature of qualified voters equal to at least 1% of the number
of votes cast for president at the last general election. The candidates must certify to the director of elections no later than September 1
st
the name of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write in candidate for president must file a letter of intent with the director of elections at least 5 days before the general election.
(Alaska Stat. §§ 15-25-105, 15.30.020, 15.30.025; 15.30.026; 15.80.010)
Arizona
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a recognized political may be placed on the general election ballot. Each recognized political party
must file with the secretary of state no less than 90 days before the primary election the names of the party’s nominees for presidential
electors.
A recognized political party is a political organization that received at least 5% of the total votes cast for governor or presidential electors
at the last preceding general election, or a political organization entitled to continued representation by having registered voters equal to
at least 2/3 of 1% of the total number of registered voters in the state.
A political organization may also become eligible for recognition as a political party by filing with the secretary of state no less than 140
days before the primary election, or no less than 75 days prior to the presidential preference election, a petition containing the signatures
of at least 1 and 1/3% of the total votes cast for governor at the last preceding general election. The petition must include signatures from
electors in at least 5 different counties, and at least 10% of the signatures must be from electors in counties with populations less than
500,000.
Petition
A presidential candidate who is not a member of a recognized political party may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with
the secretary of state no less than 60 days before the general election nomination papers and a petition containing the number of
signatures equal to 3% of the registered independent voters in the state. The petition must include the names of the presidential electors.
Each of the electors must also file nomination papers.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file nomination papers with the secretary of state no later than the 40th day prior to the election.
Each of the presidential electors must also file nomination papers.
(Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 16-243, 16-244, 16-312, 16-341, 16-344, 16-801, 16-803,16-804)
Arkansas
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. A political party must certify to the
secretary of state no later than September 15
th
the names of the presidential electors.
A political party is a group of voters whose candidate for governor or nominee for presidential electors at the last preceding general
election received at least 3% of the entire vote cast for the office. A new political party may be formed by filing with the secretary of state
no later than 45 days before the preferential primary election a petition containing the signatures registered voters in an amount that
equals or exceeds 3% of the total votes cast for Governor in the immediately preceding general election for Governor.
Petition
A presidential candidate of a political group may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later
than the first Monday of August a petition containing the names of 1,000 qualified electors. The group must file with the secretary of state
no later than the 75th day before the election a certificate stating the name of the candidates for president and vice-president and must
certify to the secretary of state no later than September 15
th
a list of presidential electors.
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the first Monday in August a petition containing the names of 1,000 qualified electors and certifying to the secretary of state no later than
September 15
th
a list of the presidential electors.
(Ark. Code Ann. §§ 7-1-101, 7-5-525, 7-7-205, 7-8-302).
California
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. A qualified political party
generally must certify to the secretary of state no later than October 1st the names of the presidential electors.
A qualified political party is a political party that received for any of its candidates for statewide office at the last preceding gubernatorial
election at least 2% of the entire vote statewide.
A group may also qualify as a political party if on or before the 135
th
day before any primary election a number of registered voters equal
to at least 1% of the entire vote of the state at the last gubernatorial election are affiliated with the party; or, if it files with the secretary of
state no later than 135 days prior to the primary election a petition signed by the number of voters equal to at least 10% of the entire vote
of the state at the last gubernatorial election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with county election officials no later
than 88 days before the election a declaration of candidacy for each of the presidential electors and nomination papers signed by the
number of voters equal to at least 1% of the entire number of registered voters in the state. The nomination papers must include the
name of the presidential electors, and may include the name of the candidates for president and vice-president.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must have each of the presidential electors file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the secretary of
state no later than 14 days before the election.
(California Elections Code Ann. §§ 338, 5001, 5100, 6901, 7100, 7110, 7300, 7578, 7843, 8303, 8304, 8400, 8403(a)(2), 8451, 8550, 8650,
8651, 8652, 8653)
Colorado
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major or minor political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must
file with the secretary of state no later than 60 days before the general election a certificate of nomination for presidential electors. The
name of the presidential candidate may be added to the certificate.
A major political party is a political party that that was represented on the ballot at the last preceding gubernatorial election by a political
party candidate or individual nominee who received at least 10% of the total gubernatorial votes cast.
A minor political party is a political party that had a candidate for statewide office in either of the last two preceding general election
receive at least 1% of the total votes cast for any statewide office, or has 1,000 or more registered electors affiliated with the party prior to
July 1
st
in either of the last two preceding general elections.
A political party may also qualify as a minor political party through any of the following methods:
- the party had a candidate for statewide office in either of the last two preceding general elections receive at least five percent of
the total votes cast for such office;
- one thousand or more registered electors are affiliated with the minor political party prior to July 1
st
of the election year for which
the minor party seeks to nominate candidates; or
- the party files with the secretary of state no later than the second Friday of January a petition containing the signatures of 10,000
registered electors
Petition
An unaffiliated presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the 90
th
day before the election a petition containing the signatures of at least 5,000 eligible electors and a notice of acceptance of the
nomination from the presidential candidate and each of the electors.
Fee
An unaffiliated presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than 90
days before the election a statement of intent and a $500 fee.
Write-In
A presidential write-in candidate must file with the secretary of state an affidavit of intent no later than the 110th day prior to the election.
(Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 1-1-104, 1-3-100.3, 1-4-302, 1-4-303, 1-4-502; 1-4-701, 1-4-802; 1-4-1101, 1-4-1102, 1-4-1302, 1-4-1303, 1-4-1304)
Connecticut
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major or minor political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must
file with the secretary of state no later than the 14th day after the close of the state convention the names of the nominees for
presidential electors. A minor political party must certify the names of nominees to the secretary of state no later than the 62
nd
day prior
to the election.
A major political party is a political party whose candidate for governor at the last preceding election for governor received at least 20% of
the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for governor, or, whose enrolled membership is at least 20% of the total number of
enrolled members of all political parties in the state.
A minor political party is a political party whose candidate for the office in question received at the last preceding regular election at least
1% of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for that office.
Petition
A presidential candidate who does not receive a nomination from a minor or major political party may obtain ballot access for the general
election by filing with the secretary of state no later than the 90
th
day prior to the election a petition containing the number of signatures
of qualified electors equal to the lesser of 1% of the votes cast for the office at the last election, or 7,500. The names of the presidential
electors must be included on the petition. The names of the candidates for president and vice-president must be filed with the secretary of
state at the time a petition form is requested.
Write-In
A presidential write-in candidate must register with the secretary of state and submit the names of the presidential electors no later than 4
o’clock pm of the 14th day preceding the election.
(Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 9-175, 9-372, 9-388, 9-452, 9-453b, 9-453d, 9-453i)
Delaware
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each eligible political party
must file with the state election commissioner no later than September 1
st
a certificate of nomination that includes the name of the
candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors. If a party holds a national nominating convention,
the certificate must be filed by the earlier of the Tuesday following the convention, or September 15
th
.
A political party is a political organization which nominates candidates for presidential electors, or nominates candidates for offices do be
decided at the general election. A political party is eligible for general election ballot access if 21 days prior to the primary election the
number of registered voters in the name of the party is equal to at least 1 0/100 of 1% of the total number of voters registered in the state
as of December 31
st
of the year immediately preceding the general election.
Petition
An unaffiliated presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the state election commissioner no
later than September 1
st
a sworn declaration of non-affiliation and a nominating petition signed by at least 1% of the total number of
registered voters as of December 31
st
of the year immediately preceding the general election.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a write-in candidate declaration with the state election commissioner no later than September
30th.
(Del. Code Ann. tit. 15, §§ 101, 3001, 3002, 3301, 3303, 3402 )
District of Columbia
Information not available.
Florida
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. The governor must nominate the
presidential electors for each political party and certify the names of the electors to the department of state no later than September 1
st
. A
minor political party affiliated with a national party holding a nominating convention must certify to the department of state no later than
September 1
st
the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
A minor political party is any group which on January 1
st
preceding a primary election does not have registered as members 5% of the total
registered electors of the state.
Petition
An unaffiliated presidential candidate, and a presidential candidate of a minor political party that is not affiliated with a national party
holding a nominating convention, may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the department of state no later than July
15
th
a petition signed by 1% of the registered electors of the state. The party or candidate must file with the department of state no later
than September 1
st
the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file an oath with the department of state and must certify the names of the presidential electors
no later than the 49th day prior to the primary election in the presidential election year.
(Fla. Stat. §§ 97.021, 103.021, 103.022)
Georgia
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party or a political body may be placed on the general election ballot. Political bodies
that nominate presidential electors by convention must hold the convention at least 150 days prior to the general election, or, in years
following the release of a decennial census, 120 days before the election.
A political party is a political organization that nominated a candidate for governor at the last general election and the candidate received
at least 20% of the votes cast in the state for that office; or nominated a candidate for president at the last presidential election and the
candidate received at least 20% of the vote cast for that office.
A political body is any political organization other than a political party. A political body is eligible to nominate candidates for the general
election by convention if the political body nominated a candidate for statewide office at the preceding general election and the candidate
received the number of votes equal to at least 1% of the total number of registered voters for that election; or, if the political body files
with the secretary of state no later than the second Tuesday in July a petition signed by the number of voters equal to 1% of the registered
voters in the preceding general election. The nominating petition and notice of candidacy must be filed by the second Tuesday in July.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate, or a presidential candidate of a political body, presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for
the general election by submitting to the secretary of state no later than no later than the second Tuesday in July a nominating petition
signed by 7500 registered voters eligible to vote in the last presidential election.
The candidate must file with the secretary of state no later than the second Tuesday in July a notice of candidacy and a qualifying fee equal
to 3% of the annual fee of the office. In a general election year following the release of a decennial census, the notice of candidacy and
qualifying fee must be filed no later than the Friday following the last Monday in July.
An independent candidate for the office of President or Vice President must file with the Secretary of State no later than the Friday before
the opening of qualifying for the office a slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector which the independent candidate has
certified as being the presidential electors for the independent candidate.
Write-In
A write-in candidate must file intention of write-in candidacy with the secretary of state no later than the Tuesday after the first Monday in
September prior to the election and must publish notice of the candidacy in a newspaper of general circulation.
(Ga. Code Ann. §§ 21-2-2, 21-2-130, 21-2-131, 21-2-132, 21-2-133, 21-2-170, 21-2-172, 21-2-180, 21-2-185, 202-187, 21-2-285)
Hawaii
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Qualified political parties
must file with the chief election officer no later than the 60
th
day prior to the election a certification of the party’s nominees for electors,
and a sworn application that includes the name of the party’s candidates for president and vice-president and a statement that the
candidate is the chosen candidate of both the state and national party. A national party is one that is admitted to the ballot in at least one
state other than Hawaii or one which is determined by the chief election officer to be making a bona fide effort to become a national
party. If there is no national party or the national and state parties do not agree on the presidential candidate, the chief election officer
may determine which candidate’s name shall be placed on the ballot or may leave the candidate’s name off the ballot.
A qualified political party is an association of voters which had candidates running for election at the last general election for any of the
statewide offices whose terms had expired, and the party received:
- at least 10% of all votes cast for any statewide office or in at least 50% of the congressional districts, or;
- at least 4% of the votes cast for all the offices of state senator statewide, or;
- at least 4% of the votes cast for all the office of state representative statewide, or;
- at least 2% of the votes cast for all the offices of state senate and all the offices of state representative combined statewide
A group of persons may qualify as a political party by filing with the chief state election officer no later than the 170
th
day before the next
primary election a petition containing the signatures of at least 1/10 of 1% of the total registered voters in the state as of the last
preceding election.
Petition
An individual presidential candidate or the presidential candidate of a party our group that is not a qualified political party may obtain
ballot access for the general election by filing with the chief election officer no later than the 90
th
day prior to the general election a
petition containing the signatures of at least 1% of the number of votes cast in the state at the last presidential election.
(H.R.S. §§ 11-61b, 11-62, 11-113, 14-21)
Idaho
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each political party must certify to the
secretary of state no later than September 1
st
the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the
presidential electors, unless a 5 day extension is granted by the secretary of state.
A political party is an organization of electors that had 3 or more candidates for state or national office listed under the party name at the
last general election, or had a candidate for state or national office at the last general election receive at least 3% of the aggregate vote
cast for governor or presidential electors.
An affiliation of new electors may form a new political party by filing with the secretary of state no later than August 30
th
in even
numbered years a petition containing the signatures of qualified electors equal to at least 2% of the aggregate vote cast for presidential
electors in the state at the previous general election at the last presidential election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
August 25
th
prior to the election a petition signed by 1,000 qualified electors. The candidate must file with the secretary of state no later
than September 1
st
the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent with the secretary of state no later than 28 days before the election.
(Idaho Code §§ 34-501, 34-702, 34-708A , 34-711; 34-711A)
Illinois
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by an established political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each established
political party must certify to the state board of election within 2 days of the state nominating convention the names of the party’s
nominees for presidential electors.
An established political party is a political party whose candidate for governor at the last general election for state and county offices
received more than 5% of the entire vote cast for governor. A political party that received more than 5% of the entire vote cast in the state
at the general election next preceding a primary is also an established political party.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate, or a presidential candidate of a new political party, may obtain ballot access for the general
election by filing with the state board of elections no less than 134 prior to the election a petition signed by 1% of the number of voters
who voted at the next preceding statewide general election or 25,000 qualified voters, whichever is less. The petition must include the
names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent with the each county clerk and board of commissioners in the state no
later than 61 days prior to the election.
(10 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§5/7/2, 5/7-9, 5/10-2, 5/10-3, 5/10-6, 5/17-16.1, 5/18-9.1)
Indiana
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major political party or other qualified political party may be placed on the general election
ballot. Political parties must certify to the elections division no later than the second Tuesday in September the names of the nominees for
president and vice-president and the names of the nominees for presidential electors.
A major political party refers to either of the two political parties whose nominee for secretary of state in the last election received the
highest and second highest number of votes statewide for that office. A political party also qualifies to nominate candidate for presidential
electors if its nominee for secretary of state at the last election received at least 2% of the total votes cast for that office.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate or a presidential candidate of a minor political party not qualified to nominate by convention may
obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the elections division no later than July 15 a written consent form and a petition
containing the signatures of registered voters equal to 2% of the votes cast at the last election for secretary of state. The name of the
candidates for president and vice-president and the names of presidential electors must be filed with the secretary of state no later than
the second Tuesday in September.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent with the division of elections no later than July 3rd prior to the election.
(Ind. Code §§ 3-5-2-26.6, 3-5-2-30, 3-8-2-2.5, 3-8-2-4, 3-8-2-5, 3-8-4-1, 3-8-4-2, 3-8-4-10, 3-8-6-10, 3-8-6-12, 3-10-4-1, 3-10-4-5)
Iowa
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must certify to the
secretary of state no later than the 81
st
day before the election the names of the candidate for president and vice-president and the names
of the presidential electors. If the national nominating convention of a political party adjourns later than 89 days before the general
election the names of the candidates for president and vice-president must be certified within 5 days after adjournment. As an alternative
to certification by the state central committee of the political party, the certificate of nomination issued by the political party’s national
nominating convention may be used to certify the name of the party’s candidates for president and vice-president.
A political party is a party whose candidate for president at the last presidential election, or candidate for governor at the last
gubernatorial election, received at least 2% of the total vote cast for all candidate for that office at that election.
A political organization that is not a political party may hold a convention or caucus to nominate a presidential candidate if a minimum of
250 eligible electors attend, including at least one from each county. The organization must certify to the secretary of state no later than
the 81
st
day before the election the name of the candidates for president and vice-president, the names of the presidential electors, and
the names of the delegates in attendance at the convention or caucus.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate, or a presidential candidate of a political organization that does not hold a nominating caucus or
convention, may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than the 81
st
day before the
election an affidavit of candidacy and a petition signed by at least 1500 eligible electors residing in at least 10 counties of the state. The
filing must include the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a candidate.
(Iowa Code §§ 44.1, 44.2, 43.2, 44.4, 44.17, 45.1 ,45.4, 49.99, 54.5)
Kansas
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a recognized political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Recognized political
parties must certify to the secretary of state the names of the presidential electors. The certification may also include the names of the
candidates for president and vice-president.
A recognized political party is a political party which nominates a person for at least one statewide office at any general election, and
whose nominee for any statewide office receives at least 1% of the votes cast for the office at the election.
A political party may obtain official recognition by filing with the secretary of state no later than June 1
st
prior to the primary election a
petition containing the signatures of at least 2% of the total votes cast for all candidates for the office of governor in the state in the last
preceding general election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the Monday preceding the primary election a petition signed by at least 5,000 qualified voters. The petition must include the name of the
candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors. The candidate must file with the secretary of state
an affidavit of candidacy no later than the 2nd Monday preceding the general election.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file an affidavit of intent with the secretary of state no later than the second Monday preceding
the election.
(Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 25-202, 25-301, 25-302a, 302b, 25-303, 25-304, 25-305, 25-305b, 25-804)
Kentucky
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party or political organization may be placed on the general election ballot. Each political
party or political organization must certify to the secretary of state no later than the Friday following the first Tuesday in September the
name of the presidential candidate and the names of the presidential electors.
A political party is an organization of electors whose candidate received at least 20% of the total vote cast at the last preceding election for
presidential electors. A political organization is a group not constituting a political party whose candidate received 2% or more of the vote
at the last preceding election for presidential electors.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate, a political group presidential candidate, and a presidential candidate of a political organization not
entitled to nominate by convention, may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than the
Friday following the first Tuesday in September a nominating petition signed by at least 5,000 registered voters. The petition must include
the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent and a list a presidential electors with the secretary of state no later than
the fourth Friday in October preceding the election.
(Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 117.265, 118.015, 118.305, 118.315, 118.325, 118.365)
Louisiana
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a recognized political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each recognized political
party must file with the secretary of state the names of the presidential electors. If the nominees for president and vice-president and the
names of the presidential electors are not certified to the secretary of state by the state central committee of the political party no later
than the first Tuesday in September, the national chairman of the party must certify the names of the presidential electors to the secretary
of state no later than the first Friday following the first Tuesday in September.
A political party may qualify as a recognized political party if at least 1,000 registered voters are registered as affiliated with the party
ninety days prior to the opening of the qualifying period; or, if any candidate of the party for presidential elector at the last presidential
election received at least 5% of the votes cast or any candidate of the party for any statewide office in any primary or general election
received at least 5% of the votes cast for the office.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the first Friday following the first Tuesday in September a notice of candidacy, affidavit of each elector, and a petition containing at least
5,000 signatures of registered voters, at least 500 of which must be obtained in each of the congressional districts. The petition must
include the name of the presidential candidate and the names of the presidential electors.
Fee
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by paying a $500 fee and filing notice of the
presidential electors.
(Louisiana Rev. Statutes §§18-441, 18:464(A), 18-465, 18-1253, 18-1254, 18-1255)
Maine
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidates nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each qualified political
party nominates presidential electors.
A qualified political party is a party that was listed on the ballot at either of the 2 preceding general elections and had at least 10,000
voters enrolled in the party voted in the last general election.
A political party may also qualify it had a candidate for governor or for president in the last preceding general election who was nominated
by petition receive 5% or more of the total vote cast in the state for governor or for president, or; 10 or more voters not enrolled in a
qualified political party file with the secretary of state on the 180
th
day before the primary election a petition containing the signatures of
voters equal in number to at least 5% of the total vote cast in the state for governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election.
Petition
A presidential candidate that is not nominated by a political party may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the
secretary of state no later than August 15
th
a petition signed by at least 4,000 and not more than 6,000 voters. The petition must include
the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the secretary of state no later than the 45th day prior
to the election.
(21-A Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 301, 302, 303, 321, 351, 354)
Maryland
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Qualified political parties
must certify to the state board of elections no later than September 6
th
the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and
must certify the state board of election no later than 30 days before the general election the names of the presidential electors.
A qualified political party is a political party that has nominated a candidate for the highest office on the ballot in a statewide general
election and the candidate received at least 1% of the total vote for that office, or; if state voter registration totals as of December 31
st
show that at least 1% of the state’s registered voters are affiliated with the political party.
A group of voters may form a new qualified political party by filing with the state board of election no later than the first Monday in August
containing the signatures of at least 10,000 registered voters.
Petition
A presidential candidate that is not affiliated with a political party may obtain ballot access by submitting a petition with the state board of
election no later than the first Monday in August a certificate of candidacy and a petition containing the signatures of at least 10,000
registers voters of the state. The candidate must certify to the state board of election no later than 30 days before the election the names
of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a certificate of candidacy with the state board of elections no later than the Wednesday before
the election.
(Md. Ann. Code Art. 33, §§ 1-101, 4-102, 4-103, 5-301, 5-303, 5-701, 7-503, 5-704, 8-503)
Massachusetts
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each political party must certify to the
secretary of state no later than the second Tuesday of September the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the
names of the presidential electors.
A political party is any party whose candidate for any statewide office at the last general election received at least 3% of the vote cast for
that office, or, a party with a number of enrolled voters equal to or greater than 1% of the entire voters registered in the state.
Petition
A presidential candidate not running as the candidate of a political party may obtain ballot access by submitting to the secretary of state
no later than the second Tuesday of September nomination papers containing the signatures of at least 10,000 voters. The nomination
papers must include the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file the name of the candidate for president and the names of the candidates for presidential
electors with the secretary of state no later than 60 days prior to the election.
(Mass. Gen. Laws §§ 50-1, 53-1, 53-6, 53-8, 53-10, 54-78A)
Michigan
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party that qualifies for general election ballot access may be placed on the general
election ballot. Each political party must certify to the secretary of state no later than 1 business day after the conclusion of the state
convention the names of the candidates for presidential electors. Each political party must certify to the secretary of state not more than 1
business day after the state or national convention of the party, whichever is later, the names of the candidates for president and vice-
president.
A political party qualifies for ballot access at the general election if any of the party’s candidates at the last preceding general election
received at least 1% of the total number of votes cast for the successful candidate for the office of secretary of state at the last preceding
general election in which a secretary of state was elected.
A group may form a new political party by filing with the secretary of state no later than the 100
th
day before the general election a
petition containing the signatures of registered and qualified electors equal to not less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for all
candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected. The petition must be signed by at least 100 registered
electors in each of at least 1/2 of the congressional districts of the state.
Petition
A presidential candidate not affiliated with a political party may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of
state no later than the 110
th
day before the election a petition signed by a number of qualified and registered electors of the state equal to
not less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected.
[note: see Michigan Secretary of State Ballot Access Information for Presidential Candidates which states that the number of valid
signatures required is 30,000]. The petition must be signed by at least 100 registered electors in each of at least 1/2 of the congressional
districts of the state. The candidate must certify to the secretary of state no later than 66 days before the election the names of the
presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent with the secretary of state no later than the second Friday immediately
preceding the election.
( Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 168.16, 168.42, 168.532, 168.544f , 168.560a, 168.590b, 168.590c, 168.590d, 168.591, 168.685, 168.686, 168.686a,
168.737a)
Minnesota
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each major political party must
certify to the secretary of state the names of the presidential electors and the names of the candidates for president and vice-president at
least 71 days before the general election.
To qualify as a major political party, a political party must meet one of the following requirements:
- present at least one candidate for constitutional office at the last general election for these offices, or presidential elector or U.S.
senator at the last presidential election, who received votes in each county, and received at least 5% of the total votes in that
election; or
- present at least 45 candidates for state representative, 23 candidates for state senator, 4 candidates for representative in
Congress, and 1 candidate for each constitutional office, at the last general election for these offices; or
- file a nominating petition with the secretary of state prior to the close of filing for the state primary containing the signatures of
party members that equal at least 5% of the total votes at the last state general election.
Petition
A presidential candidate of a minor political party or other party, and independent presidential candidates, may obtain ballot access by
filing with the secretary of state no later than 77 days before the general election a petition containing the signatures of at least 2,000
eligible voters. The petition must include the names of the presidential electors.
A minor political party is a party that presented at least one candidate for constitutional office at the last general election for these offices,
or presidential elector or U.S. senator at the last presidential election, who received votes in each county in the aggregate equal to at least
1% of the total number of individuals who voted in the election; or, the party filed with the secretary of state no later than the close of
filing for the state primary a nominating petition containing the signatures of party members equal in number to at least 1% of the total
number of individuals who voted in the preceding general election.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a written request to have their write-in votes tallied and the names of the presidential electors
with the secretary of state no later than the 7th day before the election.
(Minn. Stat. §§ 200.02, 204B.07, 204B.08, 204B.09, 208.03)
Mississippi
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by an organized political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each political party must
certify the names of the candidate for president and vice president and presidential electors to the secretary of state no less than 60 days
prior to the election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access by filing with the secretary of state no less than 60 days before the
election a petition containing the signatures of 1,000 qualified electors. The petition must be accompanied by the names of the individual
who will serve as presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in vote will be counted in the event of the death, resignation, withdrawal, or removal of any candidate whose name was printed
on the official ballot
(Miss. Code. Ann. §§ 23-15-365, 23-15-539, 23-15-781, 23-15-785, 23-15-1063)
Missouri
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by an established political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each established
political party must certify the names of its nominees for president and vice-president to the secretary of state no later than the 12
th
Tuesday prior to the election, or within 7 working days after choosing its nominee for president, whichever is later. Each established
political party must certify to the secretary of state no later than the 3rd Tuesday prior to the election, the names of its nominees for
presidential elector.
To qualify as an established political party, a political party’s candidate for statewide office at either of the last two general elections must
have received more than 2% of the entire vote cast for the office.
A group may form a new political party and nominate a presidential candidate to be placed on the general election ballot if the group files
with the secretary of state no later than the 15th Monday immediately preceding the general election a petition containing the signatures
of at least 10,000 registered voters.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the 15th Monday immediately preceding the general election a declaration of candidacy and petition containing the signatures of at least
10,000 registered voters. The petition must include the names of the presidential electors and the names of the candidates for president
and vice-president.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must submit a declaration of intent and the names of the nominees for presidential electors with the
secretary of state no later than the second Friday immediately preceding the election.
(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 115.013,, 115.315, 115.317, 115.321, 115.329, 115.399, 115-453)
Montana
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each qualified political party
must certify to the secretary of state file by the date prescribed by the secretary of state the names of the nominees for presidential
electors
A political party is qualified if it had a candidate for a statewide office in either of the last two general elections receive 5% or more of the
total votes cast for the most recent successful candidate for governor. A political party may also qualify by filing with the secretary of state
no later than 85 days before the date of the primary a petition containing the number of signatures of registered voters equal to 5% or
more of the votes cast for the successful candidate for governor at the last general election, or 5,000 electors, whichever is less. The
number must include the registered voters in more than 1/3 of the legislative districts equal to 5% or more of the total votes cast for the
successful candidate for governor at the last general election in those districts or 150 electors in those districts, whichever is less.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate or a presidential candidate of a political party that does not qualify may obtain ballot access for the
general election by filing with the secretary of state 76 days prior to the general election a petition containing the signatures of electors
equal to 5% or more of the total votes cast for the successful candidate for governor at the last general election, or 5,000 electors,
whichever is less. The names of the candidates for presidential electors must be certified to the secretary of state no later than 76 days
before the election
Write-In
A presidential write-in candidate for president must submit a declaration of intent with the secretary of state no later than the 10th day
before absentee ballots must be made available
(Mont. Code. Ann. §§ 13-10-504, 13-10-601, 13-25-101, 13-10-211)
Nebraska
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party that meets state requirements for partisan ballot access may be placed on the
general election ballot. The officers of the various national political party conventions must certify to the secretary of state no later than
September 8
th
the names of the candidates for president and vice-president. Each political party must hold a state convention no later
than September 1
st
to select presidential electors and must certify the names of the electors to the secretary of state.
A political party meets state requirements for partisan ballot access if a candidate nominated by the political party at one of the two
immediately preceding statewide general elections received at least 5% of the vote in a statewide race, or if a combination of candidates
nominated by the political party for a combination of districts that encompass all of the voters of the entire state polled at least 5% of the
vote in each of their respective districts.
Petition
Presidential candidates of a newly formed political party, and nonpartisan presidential candidates, may obtain ballot access for the general
election by filing with the secretary of state no later than September 1
st
a petition containing the signatures of at least 2500 registered
voters. The petition must include the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
A group may form a new political party by filing with the secretary of state no later than August 1
st
a petition containing signatures equal
to at least 1% of the total votes cast for governor at the most recent general election for that office. The petition signatures must be
distributed to include registered voters totaling at least 1% of the votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election in each of the 3
congressional districts in the state.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file an affidavit of intent and the required filing fee with the secretary of state no later than 10
days prior to the election.
(Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 32-610, 32-615, 32-617, 32-620, 32-621, 32-710, 32-712, 32-716, 32-813)
Nevada
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified major or minor political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each major
and minor party must certify the names of the presidential electors to the secretary of state. A minor party must certify to the secretary of
state no later than the first Tuesday in September the names of the candidates for president and vice-president.
To qualify as a major political party:
- the party must be designated as a political party on the voter registration applications of at least 10% of the registered voters in
the state on January 1st preceding any primary election, or;
- the party must file a petition with the secretary of state no later than the last Friday in February before any primary election
containing the signatures of registered voters equal to or more than 10% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding
general election for the office of representative in congress.
To qualify as a minor political party:
- any of the party’s candidates for partisan office at the last general election must have received at least 1% of the total number of
the total votes cast for the office of representative in congress;
- on January 1
st
preceding a primary election, the party must have been designated as the political party on the voter registration
applications of at least 1% of the total number of registered voters in the state; or
- the party must file a petition with the secretary of state no later than the 3
rd
Friday in May preceding the general election
containing the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 1% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general
election for the office of representative in congress
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the second Friday in August a declaration of candidacy, a filing fee of $250, and a petition containing the signatures of registered voters
equal to at least 1% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general election for the office of representative in congress. The
candidate must also file with the secretary of state the names of the individuals who will serve as presidential electors.
(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.128, 293.270, 293.1715, 293.1725, 298.020, 298.109)
New Hampshire
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each political party must certify to the
secretary of state no later than the last Tuesday of October the names of the presidential electors.
A political party is any political organization which received at least 4% of the total number of votes cast for governor or United States
senators at the preceding state general election.
A political organization may also nominate a presidential candidate for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later
than the Wednesday one week before the primary nomination papers containing the signatures of registered voters equal to 3% of the
votes cast at the previous state general election. The name of the candidate and a declaration of candidacy must be submitted to the
secretary of state no later than the day of the primary.
Petition
A presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing a declaration of intent between the first Wednesday in
June and the Friday of the following week, and submitting to the secretary of state no later than the Wednesday one week before the
primary nomination papers containing the signatures of 3,000 registered voters, 1,500 from each United States congressional district in
the state. The candidate must also pay a fee of $250.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a candidate on the ballot.
(N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 652:11, 655:40a, 655:40b, 655:42, 655:43, 655:53, 655:54, 659:17, 667:21)
New Jersey
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must certify the
names of the presidential electors to the secretary of state within 1 week after the electors are nominated at a state convention which
must be held within 1 week following the closing of the party’s national convention. The certificate may include the names of the
candidates for president and vice-president.
A political party is a party which, at the election held for all of the members of the general assembly next preceding the holding of any
primary election, polled for members of the general assembly at least 10% of the total vote cast in the state.
Petition
A presidential candidate who is not nominated by a political party, and independent presidential candidate, may obtain ballot access for
the general election by filing a petition with the secretary of state no later than the 99
th
day before the general election a petition
containing the signatures of 800 legally qualified voters of the state. The names of the presidential electors may be included in the
petition.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a candidate.
(N.J. Stat. Ann. §§19:1-1, 19:5-1, 19:13-2, 19:13-1, 19:13-3, 19:13-4, 19:13-5, 19:13-9, 19:13-15, 19:53A5)
New Mexico
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a qualified political party may be placed on the general election ballot. A qualified political party
must certify the names of the presidential electors to the secretary of state no less than 56 days prior to the election.
A qualified political party is a political party that has a candidate on the ballot in at least one of the two previous general elections, or if the
party has a candidate for governor or president in a general election, the candidate receives at least 1% of the total votes cast for the
office.
A political party may qualify as a political party by filing with the secretary of state petition containing the signatures of at least ½ of 1% of
the total votes cast for the office of governor at the preceding general election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state on the 21st
day following the primary election a declaration of candidacy and a nominating petition containing the number of voter signatures equal
to at least 3% of the total vote cast for governor at the last preceding general election for that office. The petition must include the names
of the presidential electors.
Write-In
Write-in candidates for President are not allowed.
(N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-1-10, 1-7-2, 1-8-1, 1-8-49, 1-8-51, 1-8-52, 1-15-3; New Mexico Secretary of State FAQs)
New York
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must certify to the
state board of elections no later than 14 days after the fall primary election the names of the nominees for presidential electors.
A political party is any political organization whose candidate for governor at the last preceding election for that office received at least
50,000 votes.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the state board of elections no later
than 11 weeks prior to the election a petition containing 15,000 signatures, with at least 100 signatures coming from each of ½ of the
congressional districts in the state. The petition must include the names of the presidential electors. The candidate must file an
acknowledgment of acceptance of the nomination no later than the 3rd day after the last day to file the petition.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a certificate of candidacy and a list of presidential electors with the state board of elections no
later than the third Tuesday before the general election
(N.Y. Election Law §§ 1-104, 6-102, 6-142, 6-146, 6-153, 6-158)
North Carolina
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must certify the
names of the presidential electors with the secretary of state.
A political party is any group whose candidate for governor or presidential electors at the last preceding general election received at least
2% of the entire vote cast in the state for governor or presidential electors.
A group may form a new political party by filing with the state board of election no later than the 1
st
day of June preceding the general
election a petition containing the number of signatures of registered voters equal to ¼ of 1 % of the total number of voters who voted in
the most recent general election for governor. The petition must be signed by at least 200 registered voters from each of the 4
congressional districts in the state.
Petition
An unaffiliated presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the state board of elections no later
than the last Friday in June preceding the general election a petition containing the number signatures of registered voters equal to 1.5%
of the total number of voters who voted in the most recent general election for governor. The petition must be signed by at least 200
registered voters from each of the 4 congressional districts in the state. The candidate must certify to the secretary of state no later than
the first Friday in August the name of the candidate for vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file with the state board of election no later than 90 days before the election a declaration of
intent and a petition containing the signatures of 500 qualified voters.
(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-1, 163-96, 163-122, 163-123, 163-209, 163-213)
North Dakota
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by an established political party may be placed on the general election ballot. The filing deadline for
candidates is 64 days before the election.
An established political party is a political organization that had candidates for presidential electors, a candidate for governor, a candidate
for attorney general, or a candidate for secretary of state on the last general election ballot and the candidates received at least 5% of the
total vote cast for the office.
Petition
A presidential candidate of a party that is not established, or an independent presidential candidate, may obtain ballot access for the
general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than the 64
th
day before the general election an affidavit of candidacy, a
statement of interests, and a petition containing the signatures of 4,000 qualified electors. The names of the presidential electors must be
filed with the petition.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a certificate of write-in candidacy and the names of the presidential electors with the secretary
of state no later than the 21st day before the election
(N.D. Cent. Code §§ 16.1-03-14, 16.1-03-19, 16.1-06-07.1, 16.1-12-02, 16.1-12-02.2)
Ohio
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Major political parties must certify to
the secretary of state on or before the 90th day before the election names of the candidates for president and vice-president. Major
parties must nominate presidential electors no later than 40 days prior to the general election and must certify the names of the electors
to the secretary of state within 5 days. Minor parties must certify to the secretary of state on or before the 90th day before the election
the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
A political party is any party whose candidate for governor or nominees for presidential electors at the most recent general election
received at least 5% of the entire vote cast for that office.
A group may also obtain political party status by petition (Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2007-09).
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the 90
th
day before the general election a petition containing the signatures of at least 5,000 qualified electors. The candidate must file a
statement of candidacy and the names of presidential electors with the petition.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent and a list of presidential electors with the secretary of state no later
than the 72nd day before the election.
(Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3505.10, 3513.11, 3513.041, 3513.257, 3517.01)
Oklahoma
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a recognized political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each recognized political
party must certify to the state board of elections no fewer than 90 days from the date of the general election the names of the nominees
for presidential electors.
A recognized political party is a political party whose nominee for governor or nominees for presidential electors received at least 10% of
the total votes cast for the office in any general election.
A group may form a recognized political party by file with the state elections board any time except between March 1
st
and November 15
th
of an even numbered year a petition containing the signature of registered voters equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast in the last
general election for governor or for presidential electors.
Petition
Uncommitted candidates for presidential electors may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing a petition with the state
elections board no later than July 15
th
of a presidential election year containing the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 3% of
the total votes cast in the last general election for president.
An independent presidential candidate, or a presidential candidate nominated by an unrecognized political party, may obtain ballot access
for the general election by submitting the required filing fee, or by filing with the state elections board no later than July 15
th
of a
presidential election year a petition containing the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 3% of the total votes cast in the last
general election for president. The candidate must certify to the state board of elections no later than September 1
st
the name of the
candidate for vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
(Oklahoma Statutes §§ 26-1-108, 26-1-109, 26-10-101, 26-10-101.1, 26-10-101.2)
Oregon
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major or minor political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must
certify to the secretary of state no later than the 70th day before the election the names of the candidates for president and vice-president
and the names of the presidential electors.
A political party qualifies as a major political party if a number of electors equal to at least 5% of the number of registered electors in the
state are registered as members of the party no later than the 275
th
day before the date of a primary election.
A political party qualifies as a minor political party if:
- an affiliation of electors files with the secretary of state no later than two years after filing a prospective a petition a petition
containing the signatures of electors equal to 1 ½ % of the total votes cast for all candidates for governor at the most recent
election at which a candidate governor was elected to a full term;
- the candidate of an affiliation of electors receives at least 1% of the total votes cast for presidential electors at the last
presidential election, or receives 1% of the votes cast for any state offices for which nominations by political parties are permitted
at the most recent election for those offices
Petition
A nonaffiliated presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the 70
th
day before the general election a petition containing the signatures of individual electors equal to not less than 1% of the total
votes cast for all candidates for presidential electors at the last general election. The names of the presidential electors must be filed with
the petition.
Assembly of Electors
A nonaffiliated presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election through nomination by an assembly of at least
1,000 electors gathered in one place for no longer than 12 hours. The signatures of the assemble members and a certificate of nomination
must be filed with the secretary of state no later than the 70
th
day before the general election. The names of the presidential electors must
be filed with the certificate of nomination.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a presidential candidate.
(Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 248.006, 248.008, 248.315, 248.355, 249.705, 249.722, 249.735, 249.740, 254.500, 254.548)
Pennsylvania
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. The nominee of each political party
must certify to the secretary of the commonwealth within thirty days after the national convention of the party the names of the
presidential electors.
A political party is any party or political body whose candidates at the general election next preceding the primary received in each of at
least ten counties in the state no less than 2% of the largest entire vote cast in each of the counties for any elected candidate, and received
a total vote in the state equal to at least 2% of the largest entire vote cast in the state for any elected candidate.
Petition
Presidential candidates of minor parties and political bodies may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of
the commonwealth no later than the 2nd Friday subsequent to the primary an affidavit of candidacy, a $200 fee, and nomination papers
containing the signatures of 5000 qualified electors.
A minor political party is a party whose statewide registration is less than 15% of the combined statewide registration for all statewide
political parties and otherwise meets the criteria of a political party. A political body which is not a political party but has nominated
candidates by nomination papers is a political body.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a presidential candidate on the ballot.
(Pa. Consol. Stat. Ann. §§ 2831, 2878, 2872.2, 2873, 2911, 2913, 2914, 3031.12)
Rhode Island
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election. Political parties must nominate presidential
electors at a meeting to be held no later than October 14
th
.
A political party is any political organization that:
- nominated a candidate for governor at the next preceding general election for general officers who received at least 5% of the
entire vote cast for governor, or;
- nominated a candidate for president at the next preceding presidential election who received at least 5% of the entire vote cast in
the state for president
A political organization may also obtain political party status by filing with the local boards of canvassers no later than August 1
st
petition
forms containing the signatures of registered qualified voters equal to 5% of the entire vote cast in the state for governor or president in
the immediately preceding general election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate or presidential candidates seeking to establish a political party may obtain ballot access by filing
nomination papers containing the signatures of 1000 voters. The candidate must file a declaration of candidacy, and, where applicable, a
notice of intent to establish a political party, no later than the last day for filing with the secretary of state for congressional and statewide
offices. The nomination papers must be filed with local boards of election no later than 60 days before the election.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a presidential candidate on the ballot.
(R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 17-1-2, 17-12-13, 17-12-15, 17-14-7, 17-14-11, 17-14-12, 17-19-31)
South Carolina
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election. Political parties nominate presidential
electors, and must certify names of the candidates for president and vice-president to the state election commission no later than the first
Tuesday following the first Monday in September.
A political party is a political party, organization, or association certified by the state election commission. An organization may obtain
certification as a political party by filing with the state election commission no later than 6 months prior to the election a petition
containing the signatures of 10,000 or more registered electors.
Petition
A presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the state election commission no later than July
15
th
a petition containing the signatures of at least 5% of qualified registered electors, provided that the petition candidate is not required
to furnish more than 10,000 signatures. The names of the presidential electors must be filed with the secretary of state.
Write-In
Write-in votes for president are not allowed.
(S.C. Code Ann. §§ 7-7-120, 7-9-10, 7-9-90, 7-11-10, 7-11-70, 7-13-320, 7-13-350, 7-13-351, 7-13-360, 7-19-70)
South Dakota
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. The chairperson of the national
convention of each political party must certify to the secretary of state immediately following the convention the names of the candidates
for president and vice-president. If the national certification is not received, the names must be certified by the state chairperson of the
party at the request of the secretary of state. Each political party must certify to the secretary of state the nominees for presidential
electors within three days of the state convention, and no later than the 2
nd
Tuesday in August.
A political party is a party whose candidate for governor at the last preceding general election for governor received at least 1 percent of
the total votes cast for governor.
A new political party may be formed by filing with the secretary of state no later than the last Tuesday of March prior to the date of the
primary election a written declaration signed by at least 2 ½ percent of the voters in the state as shown by the total vote cast for governor
at the last preceding gubernatorial election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the first Tuesday in August prior to the election a certificate of nomination containing the number of signatures equal to at least 1% of the
total combined vote cast for governor at the last certified gubernatorial election. The candidate must file a declaration of candidacy and
certify the name of a candidate for vice-president prior to circulation the nominating petition
(S.D. Codified Laws §§ 12-1-3, 12-5-3.16, 12-5-1, 12-5-21, 12-5-22, 12-7-7)
Tennessee
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a statewide political party or a minor political party may be placed on the general election ballot.
Candidates nominated by political parties must be immediately certified to the coordinator of elections.
A statewide political party is a political party that had at least 1 candidate for an office to be elected by voters of the entire state in the
past 4 years who received a number of votes equal to at least 5% of the total number of votes cast or gubernatorial candidate in the most
recent election for governor.
A minor political party may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing a petition no later than 90 days prior to the general
election with the coordinator of elections containing the signature of registered voters equal to at least 2.5% of the total number of votes
cast for gubernatorial candidates in the most recent election for governor.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access by filing with the coordinator of elections no later than the 3
rd
Thursday in
August a petition containing the signatures of 25 or more registered voters for each elector allotted to the state, which totals 275 valid
signatures. The candidate must also file the names of the presidential electors and the Vice Presidential nominee.
Write-In
Write-in candidates must file a notice with the appropriate election official no later than 50 days before the election, and must also submit
elector information.
(Tenn. Code. Ann. §§ 2-1-104, 2-5-101, 2-7-133, 2-13-201, 2-13-203, § 2-1-104(a)(31)(a), (a)(24), 2-13-107(a), 2-5-101(a)(1), 2-15-101, 2-15-
102, 2-7-133(i); 2012 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 55)
Texas
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties must certify the
names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors before the later of the 71st day before
the presidential election, or the first business day after the date of final adjournment of a party’s national nominating convention.
A political party that is authorized or required to nominate candidates by primary election is entitled to have its nominee for president
placed on the general election ballot. A political party is authorized to nominate by primary if the party’s nominee for governor in the most
recent gubernatorial general election received at least 2% of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the
election; a political party is required to nominate by primary if that candidate received more than 20% of the vote.
A political party that nominates candidates by convention is entitled to have its nominee for president placed on the general election
ballot if the party had a nominee for statewide office at the last general election receive a number of votes equal to at least 5% of the total
number of voters received by all candidates for that office.
A political party that nominates by convention may also qualify to place a presidential candidate on the general election ballot if the party
files with the secretary of state no later than the 75
th
day after precinct conventions a list convention participants indicating that the
number of participants equals at least 1% of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the most recent
gubernatorial general election. If the number of convention participants is fewer than the number required, the party may qualify for
ballot access at the general election by filing a petition with secretary of state containing a number of signatures that when added to the
number of convention participants on the list equals at least 1% of the total number of voters received by all candidates for governor in
the most recent gubernatorial election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the 2
nd
Monday in May an application and a petition containing the number of signatures equal to at least 1% of the total vote received in
the state by all candidates for president in the most recent presidential election. The application must include the names of the
presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of write-in candidacy and the names of the presidential electors with the
secretary of state no later than the 78th day before the election.
(Tex. Elections Code Ann. §§ 146.023, 146.025, 172.002, 181.005, 181.006, 192.003, 192.032, 192.033)
Utah
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a registered political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each registered political
party must certify the names of the candidates for president and vice-president to the lieutenant governor no later than August 31
st
, or
provide written authorization for the lieutenant governor to accept the certification a candidate for president from the national office of
the registered party. Each registered party must certify to the lieutenant governor no later than August 31st the names of the presidential
electors.
To qualify as a registered political party an organization must have participated in the last general election and in at least one of the last
two regular general elections received for any of its candidates for any office a total vote equal to 2% or more of the total votes cast for all
candidates for the united states house of representative in the same election.
An organization may also become a registered political party by filing with the lieutenant governor on or before February 15
th
of the year
in which a regular general election will be held a petition containing the signatures of at least 2,000 registered voters. If a newly registered
political party does not hold a national party convention the party may designate the names of its candidate for president and the names
of the presidential electors to the lieutenant governor by August 15
th
.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the lieutenant governor no later
than August 15th a certificate of nomination, a nominating petition containing the signatures of 1,000 registered voters, and a $500 fee.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the lieutenant governor no later than 60 days before
the election.
(Utah Code Ann. §§ 20A-8-101, 20A-8-103, 20A-8-106, 20A-9-202, 20A-9-502, 20A-9-503, 20A-9-601, 20A-13-301)
Vermont
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Major political parties must
certify the names of the presidential electors promptly after the electors are nominated at a party convention held no later than the 4
th
Tuesday in September. The parties must certify to the secretary of state no later than the 47
th
day before the general election the names
of the party’s nominee for president and vice-president.
A presidential candidate may be nominated by a minor political party and placed on the general election ballot if the party has town
committees organized in at least 10 towns in the state and files a statement of nomination with the secretary of state no later than the
second Thursday after the first Monday in June preceding the primary election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
the second Thursday after the first Monday in June preceding the primary election a statement of nomination containing the signatures of
1,000 registered voters and a consent form from each nominee for presidential elector.
Write-In
A voter may write-in the name of a presidential candidate on the ballot.
(Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, §§ 2103, 2319, 2356, 2381, 2382, 2385, 2386, 2387, 2402, 2587, 2403, 2716, 2721, 2722)
Virginia
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each political party must provide to
the state board of elections no later than the 74
th
day before the election the names of the presidential electors selected at the party’s
convention and the names of the candidates for president and vice-president. A political party whose national convention is scheduled to
be held after the 74
th
day before the election must file with the state board of election no later than the 74
th
day before the election the
certification of the presidential electors and a certification of the persons expected to be nominated for president at its national
convention. The party must certify the names of the candidates for president and vice-president nominated at the national party
convention no later than the 60
th
day before the election.
A political party is an organization which received at least 10% of the total vote cast for any statewide office at either of the two preceding
statewide general elections.
Petition
A group of qualified voters not constituting a political party may obtain ballot access for a presidential candidate by filing with the state
board of elections no later than the 74
th
day before the election a petition containing the signatures of at least 5,000 qualified voters
including signatures of at least 400 qualified voters from each congressional district. The petition must include the names of the candidates
for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of intent with the state board of elections no later than 10 days before the
election.
(Va. Code Ann. §§ 24.2-101, 24.2-542, 24.2-542.1, 24.2-543, 24.2-614, 24.2-644)
Washington
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each major political party must
certify to the secretary of state at least 75 days before the election the names of the party’s nominees for presidential electors and the
names of the candidates for president and vice-president.
A major political party is a political party that had at least one nominee for president, vice president, united state senator, or a statewide
office receive at least 5% of the total vote cast at the last preceding state general election.
Petition/Assembly
A presidential candidate that is not nominated by a major political party, including minor party candidates and independent candidates,
may be placed on the general election ballot by holding an organized assembly attended by at least one hundred registered voters no later
than the second Saturday in May or during the first Saturday in June through the fourth Saturday in July. The candidate must file with the
secretary of state no later than one week after the convention is held a petition containing the signatures of at least 1,000 registered
voters and certificate of nomination, and must file with the secretary of state no later than ten days after the convention is held a list of
presidential electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the secretary of state no later than 18 days before the
election.
(Wash. Rev. Code §§ 29A.04.097, 29A.04.086, 29A.20.111, 29A.20.121, 29A.20.131, 29A.20.141, 29A.20.151, 29A.20.161, 29A.20.181,
29A.24.311, 29A.56.320, 29A.56.360, 29A.80.020)
West Virginia
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Political parties nominate the
candidates for presidential electors at a state convention in June, July, or August and must certify the names of the electors to the
secretary of state within fifteen days.
A political party is an organization whose candidate for governor at the last preceding general election received at least 1% of the total
number of votes cast for all candidates in the state for that office.
Petition
A group of citizens that is not a political party (minor party and independent candidates) may obtain ballot access for a presidential
candidate by filing with the secretary of state no later than August 1st preceding the general election a certificate of nomination containing
the number of signatures of registered voters equal to at least 1% of the entire vote cast for president in the last preceding presidential
election. The candidates for president and vice president must also pay a fee equivalent to 1% of the annual salary of the office, provided
that the filing fee for president or vice president must not exceed $2500.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a certificate of announcement with the secretary of state no later than the close of business on
the 49th day before the election.
(W. Va. Code §§ 3-1-8, 3-5-8, 3-5-21, 3-5-23, 3-5-24, 3-6-4a)
Wisconsin
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a recognized political party may be placed on the general election ballot. Each recognized political
party must certify to the general accountability board no later than the first Tuesday in September preceding a presidential election the
names of the candidates for president and vice-president. Each recognized party must hold a convention on the first Tuesday in October
prior to the presidential election for the purpose of nominating presidential electors and the names of the electors must be immediately
certified to the general accountability board.
A recognized political party is a political party whose candidate for any statewide office at the last gubernatorial election received at least
1% of the total votes cast for that office, and if the last general election was also a presidential election, the party’s candidate received at
least 1% of the total vote cast for that office.
A political organization may also become a recognized political party by filing with the general accountability board no later than April 1
st
in
the year of the partisan primary a petition containing the signatures of at least 10,000 electors, including at least 1,000 electors residing in
each of at least 3 separate congressional districts.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the general accountability board no
later than the first Tuesday in August preceding the partisan primary nomination papers containing between 2,000 and 4,000 signatures.
The nomination papers must include the names of the candidates for president and vice-president and the names of the presidential
electors.
Write-In
A write-in candidate for president must file a declaration of candidacy and a list of presidential electors with the general accountability
board no later than the 2nd Tuesday preceding the election.
(Wis. Stat. §§ 5.02, 5.62, 5.64, 8.16, 8.18, 8.185, 8.20)
Wyoming
Political Party Nomination
A presidential candidate nominated by a major or minor political party may be placed on the general election ballot. The political parties
must nominate presidential electors at a state convention and certify the names of the electors to the secretary of state no later than 30
days following termination of the state convention.
A major political party is a political organization whose candidate for united state representative, governor, or secretary of state, received
not less than 10% of the total votes cast for that office in the most recent general election. A minor political party is a political organization
whose candidate for united states representative, governor, or secretary of state received not less than 2% nor more than 10% of the total
votes cast for that office in the most recent general election.
A group may form a new political party and obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
June 1
st
in a general election year a petition containing the signatures of registered electors equal in number to no less than 2% of the total
number of votes cast for the office of united state representative in the last general election.
Petition
An independent presidential candidate may obtain ballot access for the general election by filing with the secretary of state no later than
70 days before a general election a petition containing the signatures of registered electors numbering not less than 2% of the total
number of votes cast for united states representative in the last general election. The petition must be accompanied by a $200 fee.
Write-In
A write-in candidate must file an application of candidacy and the required fee with the appropriate filing officer no later than 2 days after
the election.
(Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 22-1-102, 22-4-118, 22-4-120, 22-4-303, 22-4-306, 22-4-402, 22-5-101, ,22-5-208, 22-5-301, 22-5-304, 22-5-306, 22-5-
307, 22-5-501, 22-19-102)
