Each of the 50 states decides how candidates running for office qualify to have their names appear on the ballot. Usually candidates can pay an administrative fee or collect a certain amount of signed petitions from registered voters. 

Florida’s requirements are excessive. They may discourage candidates and prevent otherwise qualified citizens from running for office altogether. It is actually more expensive to run for a County Commission seat in Osceola County-Florida ($5,060 fee) than it is to run for the US House of Representatives in most states (see below).

Qualifying Requirements for US House of Representatives by state:

• Ohio: $85 or 50 petitions
• Pennsylvania $150 or 1,000 petitions
• Wyoming: $200
• Nevada: $300
• Kentucky $500 or 400 petitions
• Louisiana $900 or 1,000 petitions
• California: $1,740 or 2,000 petitions
• Texas: $3,125 or 500 petitions
• South Carolina: $3,480
• Florida: $10,460 or (3,749 to 5,772) petitions based on district population

If our Government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, then its people should not be excluded from taking part in this political process. Florida’s ballot access requirements need to be lowered.

Please help me petition our Governor and State Legislature to make qualifying requirements and Florida elections more fair and equitable for all the citizens of Florida. 

Please sign the petition and share it with your friends and family. 

Thank you!

Jose Castillo - Candidate for US House of Representatives - FL District 09

 

Sources:

Ohio:
https://www.sos.state.oh.us/globalassets/publications/election/2020_crg.pdf

Pennsylvania:
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1937/0/0320..PDF

Wyoming:
https://soswy.state.wy.us/Forms/Elections/Apps/Federal_and_State_Offices_Application_Major_Party_Primary.pdf

Nevada:
https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/elections/candidate-information/filing-for-non-judicial-office

Kentucky:
https://www.sos.ky.gov/elections/BecomingACandidate/Pages/FAQs.aspx

Louisiana:
https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/PublishedDocuments/CandidateQualifyingFees.pdf

California:
https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//statewide-elections/2020-primary/section-3-candidate-filing-information.pdf

Texas:
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2020/demorrep2020.shtml

South Carolina:
https://www.scvotes.org/sites/default/files/SEC%20PRO%201311-201803%20Filing%20Instructions%20for%20Partisan%20Candidates.pdf

Florida:
https://www.dos.myflorida.com/media/702659/fed-qualifying-handbook-2020.pdf

Osceola County Florida:
https://www.voteosceola.com/Portals/Osceola/2020%20Petition%20Requirements%20Qualifying%20Fees%20and%20Salaries--1_16_2020.pdf?ver=2020-02-11-173759-750