Candidates may purchase data from the Department of Elections, such as voter and candidate lists. The data is maintained and updated by the Virginia Department of Elections. The Virginia Department of Elections provides, at a reasonable cost to qualified persons or entities, several different lists of those who voted and registered voters. Virginia Department of Elections – Client Services

Candidate lists are available on the Virginia Department of Elections website. The lists are maintained by the Virginia Department of Elections.

General Information

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:

1. A candidate must be qualified to vote for and to hold the office being sought.
2. A candidate must have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia for at least one year immediately preceding the election.

For more information on becoming a candidate including forms, bulletins, calendars and more, please visit the Virginia Department of Elections Candidate/PAC website.

Citizens who are interested in running for state or local offices in Virginia should start by downloading the appropriate Candidate Information Bulletin from the Virginia Department of Elections website to get information about qualifications for a particular office, filing requirements and deadlines, where to file the required forms and documents, and other information about running for a particular office. All candidates for office must also comply with state laws regarding campaign finance and advertising.

Phone: (804) 864-8901
Toll-free in Virginia: (800) 552-9745
Fax: (804) 371-0194
Washington Building
1100 Bank Street, First Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

Fairfax County residents needing forms and/or assistance may contact:

Fairfax County Office of Elections

Email: voting@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-222-0776

Candidate Finance Reports

The Virginia Department of Elections maintains electronically-filed campaign financial data for general assembly, statewide, and local candidates who file electronically. Comprehensive, summary information of candidates may be found at the non-profit Virginia Public Access Project website.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains campaign financial data for presidential campaigns and candidates, House campaigns and candidates, and Senate campaign committees (individual Senate disclosure reports are filed with the secretary of the Senate).

Filing Fees

The filing fee is 2% of the minimum annual salary for the office sought in effect for the year in which the candidate files. (Code of Virginia, §24.2-523)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §24.2-524, certain local candidates are required to pay a primary filing fee to the Director of Finance in the county in which they reside. Below is a schedule for fees required to be paid by primary candidates for the noted offices. Additionally, a receipt is required to be issued in order for candidates to complete their filings with their party organizations. Fees are paid at the Fairfax County DTA Tax counter located at Suite 223 of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax VA. See "Important Notes" below for additional information.

Political Signs

Fairfax County candidates who wish to post political signs must comply with local ordinance, Chapter 9.5 of Title 24.2, Code of Virginia. State law prohibits posting political campaign signs on roads and medians. During the times the polls are open and ballots are being counted, political signs may be placed outside official polling places for a maximum of 24 hours; however, they are not, by state law, permitted within 40 feet of any entrance of any polling place.

For information and restrictions in the County of Fairfax, call (703) 324-1314.

For information and restrictions in the Town of Herndon, call (703) 787-7380.

For information and restrictions in the Town of Vienna, call (703) 255-6341.

For information and restrictions in the Town of Clifton, call (703) 830-2727.

Party Candidates

Fairfax County residents who are seeking to be a nominee of either the Democratic or Republican Party should contact the local committee for party regulations and activities.

The Fairfax County Democratic Committee
(http://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org)
8500 Executive Park Ave., Suite 402
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: (703) 573-6811
Fax: (703) 560-7004

The Fairfax County Republican Committee
(http://fairfaxgop.org/)
Fairfax County Republican Committee
4246 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 766-4467
Fax: (703) 766-2404

Independent Candidates

Information can be found on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Candidates for School Board and the Soil and Water Conservation District run as independents, and, therefore, are not nominated by primary elections.

Petitions

Petitions require a minimum number of certified voters.

For further information and forms, go to the Virginia Department of Elections Website

Important Notes

The Constitutional Officers (Commonwealth's Attorney and Sheriff) are shared with the City of Fairfax. If a candidate lives in the City, he/she pays the fee to the Treasurer of Fairfax City. If a candidate lives in the County, he/she pays the fee to the Fairfax County Director of Finance. (§ 24.2-524)

Candidates for School Board and Soil and Water Conservation Directors run as independents, and, therefore, are not nominated by primary elections.

The Clerk of Court serves an 8 year term, and is on the ballot every 8 years.

Candidates who are nominated by a political party by a method other than a primary election may be required to pay a filing fee. This fee is determined by the rules of the political party. Candidates should contact the political party chairman for further information