Candidate Filing
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Filing for Office in 2026
Federal, Statewide, & Judicial Offices:
February 23-27, 2026
New Online Filing System Opens February 23!
All Federal, Statewide, & Judicial offices will file online in our new candidate filing system. Candidates will be able to file a declaration, track their filing status, and search filed candidates. We will have more details about the online system very soon!
For information about offices, qualifications, and filing requirements, visit How to Run for Office.
See the list of available offices
Federal Offices:
- United States Senator
- United States Representative
State Legislative Offices:
- State Senator
- State Representative
Judicial Offices:
- Supreme Court Justice
- District Court Judge
Statewide Offices:
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- State Controller
- State Treasurer
- Attorney General
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
Independent Candidates
If you are planning to run as an independent candidate and wish to appear on the November 2026 General Election ballot, please note that you are required to file by petition.
The petition forms for independent candidates are available below. Be sure to review all instructions carefully and meet the signature requirements and deadlines outlined in Idaho law.
- Federal Independent Candidate Petition Form [PDF]
- Statewide Office Independent Candidate Petition Form聽[PDF]
- State Legislature Independent Candidate Petition Form聽[PDF]
Please contact our office before starting your petition for candidacy so we can set it up in our system. This ensures that county officials can review your petition signatures properly.
Petition Forms
In lieu of a filing fee, candidates may submit a required number of signatures depending on the office. Petition forms for partisan and judicial candidates are available below. Be sure to review all instructions carefully and meet the signature requirements and deadlines outlined in Idaho law.
County & Local/District Offices:
March 2-13, 2026
Online Filing Opens March 2!
For the first time County and District offices will have the option to file online in our new candidate filing system! Candidates will be able to file a declaration, track their filing status, and search filed candidates. We will have more details about the online system very soon!
For information about offices, qualifications, and filing requirements, visit How to Run for Office.
See the list of available offices
County Offices:
- Assessor
- Clerk
- Commissioner
- Coroner
- Prosecuting Attorney*
- Sheriff*
- Treasurer
Local/District Offices:
- Port District
- Precinct Committeeman
Paper Declaration of Candidacy forms will still be offered for these offices from your county elections office.
Write-In Candidates
Write-In candidates must file a Declaration of Intent with the corresponding office before 5:00 p.m. on the filing deadline for the election in which they are running.
Primary Election Filing Deadlines:
- March 6, 2026 (Federal & Statewide Offices)
- March 20, 2026 (County & Local Offices)
General Election Filing Deadline: September 4, 2026
Write-In candidates will also file in the new online system.
Paper Declaration of Intent forms will still be offered for county and local offices. Contact your county elections office for details.
Withdrawing as a Candidate
Candidates may withdraw their candidacy by submitting the Withdrawal of Candidacy Form before the withdrawal deadline.
Primary Election Withdrawal Deadlines:
- March 6, 2026 (Federal & Statewide Offices)
- March 20, 2026 (County & Local Offices)
General Election Withdrawal Deadline: September 4, 2026
More Information
Looking for current officeholders?
Find more local-level candidate filing information with the county elections office.
Learn more about running for office.