Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Virginia

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Virginia, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Virginia. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Virginia." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Virginia in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Virginia U.S. Senate Democratic 10,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary TBD Source
Virginia U.S. Senate Republican 3,500 Reduced by court order $3,480.00 2% of annual salary TBD Source
Virginia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3,500 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A TBD Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Virginia in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Virginia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $3,480.00 TBD Source
Virginia U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A TBD Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2023

State legislature

State senate

The table below details filing requirements for Virginia State Senate candidates in the 2023 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state senate candidates, 2023
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Virginia State Senate Qualified party 250 $360.00 4/6/2023 Source
Virginia State Senate Unaffiliated 250 N/A 6/20/2023 Source
House of delegates

The table below details filing requirements for Virginia House of Delegates candidates in the 2023 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state house of delegates candidates, 2023
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Virginia House of Delegates Qualified party 125 $352.80 4/6/2023 Source
Virginia House of Delegates Unaffiliated 125 N/A 6/20/2023 Source

2022

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Virginia in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Virginia U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1,000 $3,480.00 4/7/2022 Source
Virginia U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 6/21/2022 Source

2021

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Virginia in the 2021 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2021
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Virginia Governor Democratic 2,000 signatures, including at least 50 valid signatures from each congressional district Fixed number $3,500.00 2% of annual salary 3/25/2021 Source
Virginia Governor Republican[1] N/A N/A $14,000.00 Fixed by party 3/26/2021 Source
Virginia Governor Unaffiliated 2,000 signatures, including at least 50 valid signatures from each congressional district Fixed number N/A N/A 6/8/2021 Source

State legislature

The table below details filing requirements for Virginia House of Delegates candidates in the 2021 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2021
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Virginia House of Delegates Democratic 125 $352.80 3/25/2021 Source
Virginia House of Delegates Republican 125 $352.80 3/25/2021 Source
Virginia House of Delegates Unaffiliated 125 N/A 6/8/2021 Source


2020

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Virginia in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Virginia U.S. Senate Democratic 10,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia U.S. Senate Republican 3,500 Reduced by court order $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 3,500 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Virginia in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Virginia 1st Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 2nd Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 3rd Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 4th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 5th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 6th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 7th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 8th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 9th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 10th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 11th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $3,480.00 2% of annual salary 3/26/2020 Source
Virginia 10th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 11th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Virginia 9th Congressional District Unaffiliated 350 Fixed number (reduced by court order) N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and Virginia elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

March 29, 2018

2016

See also: Virginia elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important filing deadlines for political candidates in Virginia in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
March 31, 2016 Ballot access Filing deadline for primary candidates
April 15, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
June 6, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
June 14, 2016 Election date Primary election
June 14, 2016 Ballot access Filing deadline for general election candidates
July 15, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
September 15, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
October 17, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
October 31, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
December 8, 2016 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
January 17, 2017 Campaign finance Campaign finance report due
Sources: Virginia Department of Elections, "November 8, 2016 Elections Candidacy Requirements," accessed January 11, 2016
Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 Candidate Reporting Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

Declaration of candidacy form, 2013

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Title 24.2, Chapter 5 of the Election Code of Virginia

For partisan candidates

A political party candidate participating in a primary election must complete the candidate qualification certificate form for the office being sought. The form is a written statement (made under oath) indicating that the candidate is qualified to vote for and to hold the office for which he or she is a candidate. The form must be filed before a candidate can purchase a registered voter's list for petition purposes. A candidate for election to statewide office, the United States House of Representatives, or the Virginia General Assembly must file the statement with the Virginia State Board of Elections. A candidate for any other office must file the statement with the general registrar of the county or city where he or she resides.[5][6]

A candidate must also file a written statement of economic interests if running for the state legislature, statewide office, a school board in a town or city with a population in excess of 3,500, or for constitutional office.[7]

The candidate qualification certificate and statement of economic interests must be filed by the filing deadline for the primary.[8]

The candidate must also file a declaration of candidacy and petition on or before the filing deadline for the election. The petition must contain the required number of signatures for the office being sought (signature requirements are summarized in the table below). Candidates seeking to participate in a primary election must also pay a primary filing fee. The filing fee is 2 percent of the minimum annual salary for the office being sought.[9]

Signature requirements
Office sought Signature requirements
Governor, United States Senate, and other statewide offices 10,000, including 400 qualified voters from each congressional district
United States House of Representatives 1,000
Virginia State Senate 250
Virginia House of Delegates 125

For independent candidates

An independent candidate for the United States House of Representatives or the United States Senate must file a declaration of candidacy, a petition, and a candidate qualification certificate form with the Virginia State Board of Elections. A candidate for statewide office or the Virginia General Assembly must file a declaration of candidacy form, a petition, a statement of economic interests form, and a candidate qualification certificate form. The candidate must file the required forms by 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday in June. A candidate for local office must file a declaration of candidacy, a petition, a statement of economic interests form, and a candidate qualification certificate form with the local authority in the county or city in which the office is being sought. The candidate must submit the required forms by 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday in June.[8][10][11]

An independent candidate must gather the same number of petition signatures as partisan candidates. There are no filing fees for independent candidates.

For write-in candidates

Write-in votes are permitted in all elections but primaries. A voter may cast a write-in vote for any person other than the candidates for the given office listed on the ballot. Write-in candidates are not required to file any special forms in advance in order to have their votes tallied (except in the case of presidential and vice presidential candidates, who must file declarations of intent).[12]

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Section 24.2-506 of the Election Code of Virginia

In some cases, candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Virginia.

Circulation requirements

Each signature on a petition must have been witnessed by a person who is a legal resident of Virginia and who is not a minor or a felon whose voting rights have not been restored. Each page of a petition must include an affidavit to that effect.[13] If an election district includes more than one county or city, the Virginia State Board of Elections suggests that the circulator use a separate petition form for qualified voters in each county or city to facilitate the processing of the filing.[14]

Petitions may be circulated beginning January 1.[13] The statutes do not stipulate whether the petition circulator is allowed to sign the petition.

Election-related agencies

See also: State election agencies

Virginia Department of Elections

Washington Building, First Floor
1100 Bank Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-3497
Telephone: 804-864-8901
Toll-free: 800-552-9745
Website: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/index.html
Email: info@elections.virginia.gov
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Term limits

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

The state executive term limits in Virginia are as follows:

  • The governor cannot serve consecutive terms, but after a four-year respite can seek re-election.[15]

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

There are no term limits placed on Virginia state legislators.[15]

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from Virginia and List of United States Senators from Virginia

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Virginia.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Virginia
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 6 8
Republican 0 5 5
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 11 13

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Virginia.

Virginia State Senate

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 22
     Republican Party 17
     Other 0
     Vacancies 1
Total 40

Virginia House of Delegates

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 45
     Republican Party 48
     Other 0
     Vacancies 7
Total 100

Noteworthy events

Signature requirements reduced (2021)

In January 2021, the Virginia Department of Elections settled a lawsuit over ballot access requirements for statewide candidates in 2021. As a result of the settlement, the signature requirement for statewide petitions was reduced from 10,000 to 2,000, with at least 50 signatures from each U.S. House District (as opposed to the statutory requirement of 400 signatures per district). The settlement also provided for petition signers to submit their signatures electronically.[16]

Nomination method struck down (2019)

On January 9, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit issued its decision in Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee v. Alcorn, striking down a state law that allowed incumbents to select their parties' nomination methods for their offices. The court's opinion was penned by Judge Harvie Wilkinson and joined by Judges Diana Motz and Allyson Duncan. The Fourth Circuit ruling affirmed an earlier district court decision.[17]

Related legislation

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The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in Virginia. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ In 2021, the Republican Party of Virginia opted to nominate its gubernatorial candidate by convention rather than primary.
  2. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed February 11, 2015
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Virginia Department of Elections, "Local Candidates Bulletin," accessed October 9, 2013
  4. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Federal Candidates Bulletin," accessed February 8, 2014
  5. ↑ Election Code of Virginia, "Section 24.2-501," accessed May 30, 2023
  6. ↑ Election Code of Virginia, "Section 24.2-947.1," accessed May 30, 2023
  7. ↑ Election Code of Virginia, "Section 24.2-502," accessed May 30, 2023
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Election Code of Virginia, "Section 24.2-503," accessed May 30, 2023
  9. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Candidate Bulletins," accessed May 30, 2023
  10. ↑ Election Code of Virginia, "Section 24.2-505," accessed May 30, 2023
  11. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "How to Run for Virginia General Assembly (2023)," accessed May 30, 2023
  12. ↑ Code of Virginia, "Title 24.2, Section 24.2-644," accessed May 30, 2023
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Election Code of Virginia, "Section 24.2-506," accessed May 30, 2023
  14. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Petition of Qualified Voters Form," accessed May 30, 2023
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Constitution of Virginia, "Article 5," accessed May 30, 2023
  16. ↑ Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Settlement reduces signature requirement for state Democratic primary amid pandemic," January 25, 2021
  17. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Fourth Circuit Strikes Down Virginia Law that Lets Incumbents Dictate Nomination Method," January 9, 2019
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