Candidate Information

Qualifications & Requirements
Candidates for office must meet certain qualifications and are required to file specific documents in order to qualify to appear on the ballot. These qualifications and requirements may vary slightly depending on whether the office sought is a local office, a general assembly seat, a statewide office, or a federal office. Generally, all candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

  • Be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia for one year immediately preceding the election

  • Be qualified to vote for and hold the office sought

Informational Bulletin & Forms
The Department of Elections has developed and published candidate informational bulletins specific to each office type. In addition to the qualifications, forms, and filing requirements, candidate information bulletins provide candidates with information they will need to run for office.

You may download the information through the links provided below.

Additional Resources