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    Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Pennsylvania

    From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 19 min
    Public Policy Logo-one line.pngin Pennsylvania

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    Ballot access for major and minor party candidates
    Ballot access for presidential candidates
    List of political parties in the United States
    Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions
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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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Pennsylvania." 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[edit]

    2020[edit]

    U.S. House[edit]

    The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Pennsylvania in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Pennsylvania, 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
    Pennsylvania 1st Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 2nd Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 3rd Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 4th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 5th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 8th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 9th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 10th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 11th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 13th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 14th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 15th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 16th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 17th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District Qualified party 1,000 Fixed number $150.00 Fixed number 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 9th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 10th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 11th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 13th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 14th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 15th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 16th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 17th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District Unaffiliated Unknown (results unavailable for calculations) 2% of largest entire vote cast for a candidate in the district in the last election $150.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source

    State House[edit]

    The table below details filing requirements for Pennsylvania House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

    Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
    Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
    Pennsylvania House of Representatives Qualified party 300 $100.00 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania House of Representatives Unaffiliated 2% of the largest entire vote cast for an elected candidate in the last election within the district $100.00 8/3/2020 Source

    State Senate[edit]

    The table below details filing requirements for Pennsylvania State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

    Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
    Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
    Pennsylvania State Senate Qualified party 500 $100.00 2/18/2020 Source
    Pennsylvania State Senate Unaffiliated 2% of the largest entire vote cast for an elected candidate in the last election within the district $100.00 8/3/2020 Source

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

    Show more

    2018[edit]

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

    See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

    March 6, 2018

    2016[edit]

    See also: Pennsylvania elections, 2016

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

    Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
    Deadline Event type Event description
    February 16, 2016 Ballot access Last day to file nomination petitions for the primary election
    March 15, 2016 Campaign finance Sixth Tuesday pre-primary report due
    April 15, 2016 Campaign finance Second Friday pre-primary report due
    April 26, 2016 Election date Primary election
    May 26, 2016 Campaign finance 30-day post-primary report due
    August 1, 2016 Ballot access Last day to file nomination petitions for the general election
    September 27, 2016 Campaign finance Sixth Tuesday pre-general report due
    October 28, 2016 Campaign finance Second Friday pre-general report due
    November 8, 2016 Election date General election
    December 8, 2016 Campaign finance 30-day post-general report due
    January 31, 2017 Campaign finance 2016 annual report due
    Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, "2016 Election Calendar," accessed January 11, 2016

    2015[edit]


    2014[edit]


    Process to become a candidate[edit]

    Generally speaking, there are two types of petition forms that prospective candidates may need to file in order to gain access to the ballot.

    1. Nomination petitions: These are the petition forms used by political party candidates.
    2. Nomination papers: These are the petition forms used by independent and political party designation candidates.

    For party candidates[edit]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Article 9, Part (a) of the Pennsylvania Election Code

    Party candidates for state office must file nomination petitions with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. Signature requirements are summarized below (for more information regarding nomination petitions, see "Nomination petitions" below).[2][3]

    Nomination petition signature requirements in Pennsylvania
    Office sought Required signatures
    United States Senator 2,000
    Governor 2,000, including at least 100 signatures from each of at least 10 counties
    Lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor general, attorney general 1,000, including at least 100 signatures from each of at least 5 counties
    United States Representative 1,000
    State senator 500
    State representative 300

    Each candidate must file a candidate affidavit with his or her nomination petition. The affidavit must include the candidate's address, election district, the name of the office being sought, a statement verifying the candidate's eligibility for said office, and a statement verifying that the candidate will not "knowingly violate any provision of this act [i.e., the election code], or of any law regulating and limiting nomination and election expenses and prohibiting corrupt practices in connection therewith."[4]

    The candidate must also pay a filing fee. Filing fees must be submitted with nomination petitions. Fees are summarized in the table below.[5]

    Filing fees in Pennsylvania
    Office sought Fee
    United States Senator, governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor general, attorney general $200
    United States Representative $150
    State legislator $100

    In addition, a candidate for state office must file a statement of financial interests with the state ethics commission. A copy of this statement must be attached to the nomination petition submitted to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State, as well.

    In 2014, the state began offering a web service for party candidates to print personalized nomination petitions.[6][7]

    For other candidates[edit]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Article 9, Part (b) of the Pennsylvania Election Code

    Like party candidates participating in the primary, independent, minor political party, and political body candidates for state office (including the Pennsylvania General Assembly) must submit candidate affidavits and statements of financial interests to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. Candidates must also pay the same filing fees as primary candidates. Independent, minor party, and political body candidates must also file nomination papers (not to be confused with the nomination petitions party candidates participating in the primary must complete). Candidates filing nomination papers must obtain signatures from electors of the district equal to at least 2 percent of the largest entire vote cast for an elected candidate in the last election within the district.[8][9] For more information regarding nomination papers, see "Nomination papers" below.[10]

    For write-in candidates[edit]

    Pennsylvania does not require write-in candidates to file paperwork in order to have their votes tallied.[11]

    Petition requirements[edit]

    See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

    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 Pennsylvania.

    The form of all petitions for candidates is prescribed by the secretary of state.

    Nomination petitions[edit]

    Each page of a nomination petition contains these three basic components:[12]

    • Preamble: The preamble includes information about the candidate, such as the candidate's name, occupation, and residence, the office being sought, and the party affiliation of the signers.
    • Signatures of electors: Each person who signs a nomination petition must include the following information:
      • signature
      • printed name
      • address of residence
      • date of signature

    Nomination petitions must be circulated and filed between the 13th Tuesday and the 10th Tuesday preceding the primary election.[12]

    Nomination papers[edit]

    Each page of a nomination paper must include these basic components:[12]

    • Preamble: The preamble includes the name of the minor political party or political body making the nomination and the county of the signers.
    • Candidate information: This section includes the name, address, and occupation of the candidate being nominated.
    • Signatures of electors: Each person who signs a nomination paper must include the following information:
      • signature
      • printed name
      • address of residence
      • date of signature

    Each page of a nomination paper submitted by a political body must also include the names and addresses of the political body's Committee to Fill Vacancies. The committee must include at least three and no more than five members.[12]

    Nomination papers must be circulated and filed between the 10th Wednesday preceding the primary and August 1 of each year (e.g., in 2014, between March 12 and August 1).[12]

    Noteworthy events[edit]

    Seal of Pennsylvania

    2015[edit]

    On March 2, 2015, United States District Court Judge Stewart Dalzell ruled that three of Pennsylvania's petition requirements were unconstitutional "as applied to the Green Party and Libertarian Party." These three requirements were as follows:[13]

    1. "the ban on out-of-state circulators"
    2. "the requirement that each petition sheet be notarized"
    3. "the prohibition on a voter signing for more than one minor party in any given election"

    Richard Winger, editor of Ballot Access News, said the following about the decision: "Oddly, the relief is limited only to the plaintiffs in the case, the Green and Libertarian Parties. There will probably be new lawsuits filed by other plaintiffs, which probably will result in an expansion of the relief to all petitioning groups, at least for general election petitions." The state government did not appeal the decision.[13][14]

    Election-related agencies[edit]

    See also: State election agencies

    Pennsylvania Secretary of State

    210 N. Office Building
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-0060
    Phone: 717-787-5280
    Website: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/
    Email: RA-elections@state.pa.us

    Counties[edit]

    See also: Counties in Pennsylvania

    A candidate may be required to file a number of documents with the county election office in his or her home county. Individual county contact information is listed below.

    Term limits[edit]

    State executives[edit]

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

    State executive term limits are established in Article 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The state executive term limits in Pennsylvania are as follows:

    • The governor may serve a total of two consecutive terms.[15]
    • The attorney general may serve a total of two consecutive terms.[16]
    • The treasurer may serve two consecutive terms and must wait four years before becoming eligible for the office of auditor general.[17]
    • The auditor general may serve a total of two consecutive terms.[16]

    State legislators[edit]

    See also: State legislatures with term limits

    There are no term limits placed on Pennsylvania state legislators.

    Congressional partisanship[edit]

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

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

    Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Pennsylvania
    Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
    Democratic 1 9 10
    Republican 1 9 10
    Independent 0 0 0
    Vacancies 0 0 0
    Total 2 18 20

    State legislative partisanship[edit]

    Portal:State legislatures

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

    Pennsylvania State Senate[edit]

    Party As of November 2021
         Democratic Party 21
         Republican Party 28
         Independent 1
         Vacancies 0
    Total 50

    Pennsylvania House of Representatives[edit]

    Party As of November 2021
         Democratic Party 88
         Republican Party 113
         Vacancies 2
    Total 203

    Recent news[edit]

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Pennsylvania ballot access. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Pennsylvania - Google News

    See also[edit]

    Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png

    External links[edit]

    Official state and federal links[edit]

    Other information[edit]

    Footnotes[edit]

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pennsylvania Department of State, "2014 Important Dates," accessed November 14, 2013
    2. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Code, "Article 9, Section 907," accessed January 15, 2014
    3. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Code, "Article 9, Section 912.1," accessed January 15, 2014
    4. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Code, "Article 9, Section 910," accessed January 15, 2014
    5. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Code, "Article 9, Section 913," accessed January 15, 2014
    6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Running for Office," accessed January 23, 2014
    7. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Pennsylvania Department of State Now Has Electronic Petition Forms on Its Web Page," January 16, 2014
    8. ↑ Note: As the result of a court order (Constitution Party v. Cortés (No. 12-2726; E.D. Pa. 2015), political body candidates seeking statewide office may submit signatures totaling 2.5 times the requirement for political party candidates seeking placement on the primary election ballot.
    9. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "General Information About Running for Public Office," accessed April 13, 2021
    10. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Code, "Article 9, Section 951(b)," accessed January 15, 2014
    11. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Code, "Section 1112-A," accessed September 1, 2015
    12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Pennsylvania Department of State, "General Information About Running for Public Office," accessed January 15, 2014
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ballot Access News, "Three Pennsylvania Ballot Access Rules Declared Unconstitutional as Applied to Green and Libertarian Parties," May 18, 2015
    14. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Pennsylvania Does Not Appeal the Ballot Access Wins in U.S. District Court from the March 2, 2015 Decision," June 12, 2015
    15. ↑ Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "Article 4, Section 3," accessed January 15, 2014
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "Article 4, Section 5," accessed January 15, 2014
    17. ↑ Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "Article 4, Section 18," accessed January 15, 2014
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