U.S. Representative Candidate Filing Information - 2018
Term of Office (34-605, Idaho Code):
U.S. Representatives:
Serve a 2 year term
Voted on by Congressional District
Requirements to be elected to office (Article I, Section 2, US Constitution; 34-605, Idaho Code):
U.S. Representatives must:
Be at least 25 years old at the time of the General Election
Be a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years
Reside within the state at the time of the General Election.
Campaign Finance Filing Requirements:
Candidates for U.S. Representative must:
Register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for campaign finance reporting.
For information on filing and reporting requirements, please refer to the FEC's website.
For questions regarding filing with the FEC, please contact the FEC offices directly at either [email protected] or at (800) 424-9530.
Filing Period:
Candidate Filing Dates:
First Day to File- February 26, 2018
Declarations and Petitions will not be accepted until February 26, 2018.
Any filings received prior to February 26th will be returned to the candidate.
Last Day to File - March 9, 2018 by 5 PM in the Secretary of State's Office
Declarations and Petitions received after 5 PM mountain time are late and will not be accepted for filing.
Withdrawal Deadlines:
Primary Election - March 23, 2018
General Election - September 7, 2018
Ballot Access Options:
Candidates may run as either:
A partisan candidate (i.e. affiliated with one of the recognized political parties in Idaho)
An independent candidate (i.e. no affiliation with any of the recognized political parties in Idaho)
Idaho's recognized political parties with ballot status:
Constitution Party of Idaho
Idaho Democratic Party
Libertarian Party of Idaho
Idaho Republican Party
NOTE: No other political parties have met the requirements for ballot status in Idaho.
Partisan Candidate Filing:
Partisan Candidates have two options when filing for placement on the Primary Election Ballot:
File a Declaration of Candidacy and pay the $300 filing fee.
File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petitions, containing the signatures of at least 500 qualified electors of their Congressional District verified prior to submission.
Signature Collection - Each petition signature sheet must:
Contain the signatures of qualified electors from only ONE county.
Be verified by the County Clerk prior to being filed with the Secretary of State.
Independent Candidate Filing:
Independent Candidates have only one option when filing for placement on the General Election Ballot:
File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petitions, containing the signatures of at least 500 qualified electors of their Congressional District verified prior to submission.
Signature Collection - Each petition signature sheet must:
Contain the signatures of qualified electors from only ONE county.
Be verified by the County Clerk prior to being filed with the Secretary of State.
Where to File:
Mailing Address:
Idaho Secretary of State's Office
Elections Division
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080
Shipping Address (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.):
Idaho Secretary of State's Office
Elections Division
450 N 4th Street
Boise, ID 83702
Personal Delivery:
Idaho Secretary of State's Office
State Capitol
700 W Jefferson, Ste E205
Boise, ID 83702
Note: Declaration of Candidacy forms may be scanned and emailed or faxed after completion. However, signature petition sheets may not be emailed or scanned. The original petition sheets with the county certifications must be submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.