2026 Candidate Filing Information
Candidate filing for the 2026 elections for federal, state, legislative, county, and judicial offices will be held April 1-3, 2026 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
WHERE TO FILE
Candidates filing for federal, state, legislative or judicial offices file with the Secretary of the State Election Board at the State Capitol.
Candidates filing for county offices file with the secretary of the appropriate county election board.
WHEN TO FILE
Candidates must submit a notarized Declaration of Candidacy, along with a filing fee or petition supporting their Declaration of Candidacy, Voter Registration Verification Form, and any other required documents April 1, 2, or 3 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. By state statute - early, late or incomplete submissions cannot be accepted.
FILING FEES AND PETITIONS
Candidates have the option to submit their notarized Declaration of Candidacy with a filing fee, in the form of a cashier’s check or certified check, OR a petition. (See 26 O.S. § 5-112)
Filing Fees
| Filing Fees | |
|---|---|
| United States Senator | $2,000.00 |
| United State Representative | $1,000.00 |
| Governor | $2,000.00 |
| Lieutenant Governor | $1,000.00 |
| Attorney General | $1,000.00 |
| State Treasurer | $1,000.00 |
| State Superintendent of Public Instruction | $1,000.00 |
| State Auditor and Inspector | $1,000.00 |
| Commissioner of Labor | $1,000.00 |
| Insurance Commissioner | $1,000.00 |
| Corporation Commissioner | $1,000.00 |
| State Senator | $750.00 |
| State Representative | $500.00 |
| District Judge | $500.00 |
| Associate District Judge | $500.00 |
| District Attorney | $500.00 |
| County Office | $300.00 |
Petitions
A petition supporting a candidate’s filing must be signed by not fewer than two percent (2%) of the number of registered voters in the district, county or state, as appropriate for the office sought. (See 26 O.S. § 5-112)
The official number of signatures required for each office is based on the number of registered voters as of November 1 of the year preceding the candidate filing period. (See Okla. Admin. Code § 230:20-9-4.) Signature requirements will be posted on this webpage when they become available after November 1, 2025.
The official petition form and instructions will be included in the Candidate Filing Packet and can also be downloaded below:
Instructions and Official Petition Form
Instructions for Filing a Petition
Petition for Federal, State, and Legislative Candidates
Petition for County Candidates
Signature Requirements
Signatures Required for State and Federal Offices
Signatures Required for County Offices
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
CANDIDATE FILING PACKETS
Candidate Filing Packets will be available by January 2026.
WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDACY
Primary Election
A candidate may withdraw from the Primary Election by filing a written notice with the Secretary of the State Election Board before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day following the close of the filing period – Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (See 26 O.S. § 5-115)
Runoff Primary Election
A candidate may withdraw from the Runoff Primary Election by filing a written notice before 5:00 p.m. on Friday following the Primary Election – Friday, June 19, 2026. (See 26 O.S. § 5-116)
General Election
A candidate may withdraw from the General Election by filing a written notice before 5:00 p.m. on the Friday following the Runoff Primary Election – Friday, August 28, 2026. (See 26 O.S. § 5-116.1)
CONTESTS OF CANDIDACY
State, Federal, Legislative and Judicial Candidates
Any candidate who files with the Secretary of the State Election Board may contest the candidacy of any other candidate for the same office by filing a written petition with the Secretary of the State Election Board before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day following the close of the filing period – Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (See 26 O.S. § 5-118)
County Candidates
Any candidate who files with the secretary of a county election board may contest the candidacy of any other candidate for the same office by filing a written petition with the secretary of the county election board before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day following the close of the filing period – Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (See 26 O.S. § 5-118)
All Candidates
In the event a candidate is unopposed, a contest of candidacy may be filed by any voter who is eligible to vote for the candidate. (See 26 O.S. § 5-118)
All petitions to contest a candidacy must be accompanied by a cashier’s check or certified check in the amount of $250.00. (See 26 O.S. § 5-121)
