Candidate Filing Information

November 7, 2023 General Election Candidate Packets will be available at the City of Suffolk Voter Registration Office beginning January 3, 2023. Non-Party Local Office Candidates should file all completed paperwork through the City of Suffolk Voter Registration Office. Primary candidates should see the Candidate Bulletin for applicable deadlines and submission requirements. Candidate forms are also available to print on the Virginia Department of Elections website. 

Election Calendars and Schedules
 

Qualifications

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:

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

State Requirements

Citizens who are interested in running for state or local offices in Virginia, should start by downloading the appropriate Candidate Information Bulletin from the State Board 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.

Candidate information, forms, and reports may also be obtained by contacting:
Virginia State Board of Elections
1100 Bank Street
1st Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-864-8901
Toll-free in Virginia: 800-552-9745
Fax: 804-371-0194