How to run for Florida House Representative?
Tutorial based on 2016 requirements (http://dos.myflorida.com/media/695458/state-qualifying-handbook.pdf) . Please, check for latest requirements here: http://dos.myflorida.com/media/698715/state-qualifying-handbook-2018.pdf
Find out who your current Representative is here: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx (This is most likely the person you will run against unless this is his/her last term in office, 4th consecutive 2-year term). See current members: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_House_of_Representatives
Here is a list of Representative from 2016-18. They all go for re-election every 2 years:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx?SessionId=83
Here are the maps for each district: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/contentViewer.aspx?Category=PublicGuide&File=About_The_Representatives_–_House_Districts_Maps.html
Forms you would need to fill out first to start the process:
1. Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates (very important: here you can assign yourself as the treasurer that way you do not rely on anybody else, and avoid very costly fines if reports are not filed on time):
http://dos.myflorida.com/media/693631/dsde9.pdf
2. Statement of Candidate:
http://dos.myflorida.com/media/693280/dsde84.pdf
3. Candidate Oath:
-If Party Affiliation:
http://dos.myflorida.com/media/693256/dsde24.pdf
-Or Candidate Oath – No Party Affiliation (recommended option):
http://dos.myflorida.com/media/693258/dsde24b.pdf
How and when to open a bank account for your campaign?
1. At least one month before Qualifying Dates noted above, one should open a bank account. Note that if you open it sooner, you will most likely need to pay monthly bank fees.
2. To open a bank account you need to create an EIN. See instructions HERE.
3. Take the EIN number, and the initial papers received from elections department to a bank an open a business account for the election. You may call it something like this “Mario Jimenez Florida House Representative” for instance.
Chapter 6: State Senator and State Representative Qualifications
1. Elector and resident of the district upon taking office.
2. Must be at least twenty-one years of age.
3. Must be a resident of the state for at least two years prior to
Qualifying Dates Noon, June 20 – Noon, June 24, 2016 (these will change for 2018).
Notwithstanding the qualifying dates stated above, the qualifying office may accept and hold qualifying papers submitted not earlier than 14 days prior to the beginning of the qualifying period, to be processed and filed during the qualifying period. (Section 99.061, Fla. Stat.)
Required Qualifying Documents
The following items must be received by the Division
- Noon, June 18 – Noon, June 22, 2018
- Note: Qualifying papers will be accepted beginning June 4, 2018, pursuant to Section 99.061(8), F.S.
1. Form DS-DE 9, Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository. (If the original DS-DE 9 was previously filed with the Division, a copy is not required to be filed during the qualifying period.)
2. Party Affiliation Candidates: Form DS-DE 24, Candidate Oath (running for a party costs more money, and unless you have strong contacts in the party, you might not make it pass the primaries in August);
No Party Affiliation Candidates: Form DS-DE 24B, Candidate Oath (this is the one we recommend to make sure your name makes it to the final day of election);
3. Form 6, Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests for the year 2017 (and any other forms applicable as identified on Form 6).
Other forms you may need: http://www.ethics.state.fl.us/FinancialDisclosure/DownloadAForm.aspx
Candidates Paying the Qualifying Fee
In addition to the above referenced items, all candidates, except a person certified to qualify by the petition method or seeking to qualify as a write-in candidate, must pay the qualifying fee below, as applicable:
• Party Affiliation Candidates: $1,781.82 (6% of annual salary as of July 1, 2015);
• No Party Affiliation Candidates: $1,187.88 (4% of annual salary as of July 1, 2015)
Please see entire video HERE. Letter HERE.
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