How to Run for Office
To run for an elected office and appear on the ballot in Idaho, you must:
- Meet the requirements of the office.
- Be a registered voter in your district.
- Submit a declaration of candidacy form to the relevant district, city, or county (for local offices) or the Secretary of State (for legislative, state, or federal offices).
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Requirements by Office
Most offices require a filing fee or petition signatures in lieu of the filing fee due at the time of filing. The relevant fee or signature amount is listed under each office below.
Federal Offices
United States Senator
- Thirty (30) years at the time of their election
- A United States citizen for at least nine (9) years
- Reside within the state at the time of their election
Term Length: Six (6) years
Filing Fee: $500
Petition Signatures: 500聽qualified electors within the congressional district
United States Representative
- Twenty-five (25) years at the time of their election
- A United States citizen for at least seven (7) years
- Reside within the state at the time of their election
Term Length:聽Two (2) years
Filing Fee:聽$300
Petition Signatures:聽500聽qualified electors within the congressional district
Presidential Electors
- Twenty-one (21) years at the time of their election
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the state for at least two (2) years preceding their election
Term Length:聽Four (4) years
Filing Fee:聽None
Petition Signatures:聽None
Statewide Offices
Governor
- Thirty (30) years at the time of their election
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the state for at least two (2) years preceding their election
Term Length:聽Four (4) years
Filing Fee:聽$300
Petition Signatures:聽1,000 qualified electors within the state
Secretary of State
State Controller
State Treasurer
- Twenty-five (25) years at the time of their election
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the state for at least two (2) years preceding their election
Term Length:聽Four (4) years
Filing Fee:聽$200
Petition Signatures:聽1,000 qualified electors within the state
Attorney General
- Thirty (30) years at the time of their election
- Admitted to practice law within the state
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the state for at least two (2) years preceding their election
Term Length:聽Four (4) years
Filing Fee:聽$200
Petition Signatures:聽1,000 qualified electors within the state
Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Twenty-five (25) years at the time of their election
- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the state for at least two (2) years preceding their election
Term Length:聽Four (4) years
Filing Fee:聽$200
Petition Signatures:聽1,000 qualified electors within the state
State Senator
State Representative
- Twenty-one (21) years at the time of the election
- A United States citizen
- Be a registered elector within the legislative district at least one (1) year prior to the election
Term Length: Two (2) years
Filing Fee:聽$30
Petition Signatures: 50 qualified electors within the legislative district
Judicial Offices
Justice of the Supreme Court
- Thirty (30) years at the time of their election or appointment
- Be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the state of Idaho
- Have been a legal resident of the state of Idaho for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding election or appointment
- Be in good standing as an active or judicial member of the Idaho state bar for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding election or appointment
- Have held a license to practice law or held a judicial office in one (1) or more jurisdictions for at least ten (10) continuous years immediately preceding election or appointment
Term Length: Two (2) years
Filing Fee:聽$300
Petition Signatures:聽1,000 qualified electors within the state
District Judge
- Thirty (30) years at the time of their election or appointment
- Be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the judicial district
- Have been a legal resident of the state of Idaho for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding election or appointment
- Be in good standing as an active or judicial member of the Idaho state bar for at least two (2) continuous years immediately preceding election or appointment
- Have held a license to practice law or held a judicial office in one (1) or more jurisdictions for at least ten (10) continuous years immediately preceding election or appointment
Term Length: Four (4) years
Filing Fee: $150
Petition Signatures: 200 qualified electors within the state
County Offices
County Sheriff
Clerk of the District Court
County Treasurer
County Assessor
County Coroner
- Twenty-one (21) years at the time of the election
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the county for at least one (1) year prior to the election
Term Length: Four (4) years
Filing Fee: $40
Petition Signatures: 5 qualified electors within the county or district
County Commissioner
- Twenty-one (21) years at the time of the election
- A United States citizen
- Reside within the county for at least one (1) year prior to the election
- Reside within the district for at least ninety (90) year prior to the election
Term Length: Two (2) or Four (4) years (rotating)
Filing Fee: $40
Petition Signatures: 5 qualified electors within the county or district
County Prosecuting Attorney
- Twenty-one (21) years at the time of the election
- A United States citizen and qualified elector within the county
- Admitted to practice law within the state
Term Length: Four (4) years
Filing Fee: $40
Petition Signatures: 5 qualified electors within the county or district
Precinct Committeeman
- Twenty-one (21) years at the time of the election
- A United States citizen
- Resident of the highway district commissioner's subdistrict
Term Length: Two (2) or Four (4) years (rotating)
Filing Fee: $10
Petition Signatures: Not Accepted
