Running for Office?
If you are planning to run for office in Maricopa County, begin here. Types of offices include: county officers, justices of the peace, constables, local school and fire district governing boards. It’s a multi-step process to get started.
If you want to run for office in Maricopa County
Request a Candidate Packet
This packet contains all the information you need to run for election in Maricopa County. It includes nomination forms, a blank sample petition sheet,
candidate handbook with important rules and regulations, important dates and training opportunities. It’s important for potential candidates to use
this information as a guide to ensure you start your campaign off right.
Request a Packet
Before gathering signatures
File a Statement of Interest
Candidates must gather signatures to qualify to appear on the ballot. Before you start, you’ll need to file a Statement of Interest, publicly declaring your candidacy. Signatures collected prior to filing the Statement of Interest are invalid. Download the form below. Email completed, signed forms to [email protected].
If you have met the contribution/expenditures threshold
File your Statement of Organization
Only candidates that spend and/or raise $1,300 or more on your campaign are required to file a Statement of Organization for a candidate committee. Candidate committees have 10 days to file a Statement of Organization after the threshold has been met. If a candidate never reaches the threshold, registration and reporting are not required; however, the committee should keep record of all transactions. Submit your Statement of Organizations by email, hand delivery or by mail. Once you file, you are required to file campaign finance reports. Registration thresholds are increased by $100 at the beginning of each odd numbered year (i.e. January 1, 2019) pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-931(A)(1). Download the form below.
Submit By Drop Box, Mail or in Person
If you’re dropping off paperwork, you may use the secure drop box located at the south side of the parking lot (enter from 3rd Avenue). Please schedule an appointment if you plan to drop off your paperwork by calling 602-372-2262 or email [email protected]. Click here for a complete list of observed holidays.
Maricopa County Elections Department
Attn: Campaign Finance
510 S. 3rd Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85003
In order to qualify to appear on the ballot you must
File your Nomination Forms
While signatures and nominations forms are required for all candidates, the number and content is unique to each office. State law outlines the filing periods and deadlines for each election. Download the checklist below to make sure you have everything you need to officially submit your candidacy. Original Nomination Papers and Nomination Petitions must be filed.
Starting a Committee?
If you are a special interest group supporting or opposing county, school or a special district ballot measures, recall election, or make independent expenditures in Maricopa County, begin here.
To form a Political Action Committee in maricopa County you must
File a Statement of Organization
Any entity must register as a political action committee if supporting or opposing a ballot measure or recall election in Maricopa County AND has spent and/or raised $1,300 or more in connection with any election during the calendar year. To register, download the form below and submit your Statement of Organization by email, drop box or by mail. Once you file, you are required to file campaign finance reports.
Need to Close Your Committee?
If you filed a statement of organization in Maricopa County to establish your committee and you are no longer running for office or you no longer have any activity for the ballot measure, recall or independent expenditures, you must terminate your committee.
To CLOSE your Political Action Committee (PAC) in Maricopa County, you must
File a Termination Statement
All active political committees must file campaign finance reports until a final report ending in a $0.00 balance and the Termination Statement if filed. Download the form below and submit your Termination Statement by email, drop box or by mail. Once you file, you are no longer required to file campaign finance reports. However, for any late filings be advised that applicable late fees are required. Email completed, signed forms to [email protected]