Candidate Qualifying
Information on How to Qualify as a Candidate
Contents:
Introduction
Qualifications to be a Candidate
Qualifying Fees
IRS Financial Requirements
Alabama Secretary of State Requirements
Alabama Ethics Commission Requirements
Alabama Democratic Party Requirements
Candidate Resources
Contact Us
Campaign check list |
• Start campaigning today. • Raise money! • File SS-4 application for a Federal tax identification number with the IRS. • Set up a bank account. • Raise more money! • File Appointment of Principal Campaign Committee form with Alabama Secretary of State. • File Statement of Economic Interests form with Alabama Ethics Commission. • File Qualifying Forms and submit fee to the Alabama Democratic Party before 5pm on the Qualifying Deadline date. |
Introduction
In order to qualify for any "state" elected office [that is Congressional, Constitutional, Judicial, or Legislative office] a candidate must fill out documents for these several entities: the Alabama Democratic Party, the Alabama Ethics Commission, the Alabama Secretary of State, and the IRS.
Please note that in some years political fundraising is prohibited while the Legislature is in session. You should consult the Secretary of State for up to date and accurate information regarding this issue.
Candidates for "local" office, such as County Commissioner, County School Board, Probate Judge, and Sheriff to name a few, will file not with the state party, but with their County Chair and Judge of Probate.
It is also important to note that the State Democratic Executive Committee of Alabama, the governing body of the Alabama Democratic Party, must meet and pass resolutions opening the qualifying period. This meeting and the passing of the qualifying resolutions usually takes place on the first Saturday of March during an election year. After that time, candidates are likely to have the opportunity to qualify for office on site. Please check back with us, or sign up for email updates, in order to stay informed of upcoming meetings.
•BE SURE TO SEND ALL MAILINGS TO EACH ENTITY CERTIFIED.
Qualifications to be a Candidate
Minimum Requirements for Public Office
2008 Qualifying Fees
Qualifying fees for the 2008 election cycle have not yet been determined, but will likely be set according to Alabama law at 2% of the base salary for the year in which one would assume the elected office.
IRS Financial Requirements
The IRS requires that all candidate bank accounts have a Federal Tax ID number. There are three easy ways to apply for this number below. It is recommended that you obtain professional advise concerning any additional IRS requirements.
1. Easily apply online for a Tax ID number here
The link below will take you to a form that can be downloaded, filled out and printed, and is in Adobe Acrobat Reader format.
2. Fill out and print the SS-4 Application for a Tax ID number here
Fax to (859) 669-5760 or Mail to Attn: EIN Operation, Philadelphia, PA 19255
3. You can also call the IRS as well and obtain an EIN immediately by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933).
More information concerning IRS requirements can be found here:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97860,00.html
and/or here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/political/index.html
Alabama Secretary of State Requirements
NOTICE TO FEDERAL CANDIDATES [for U.S. House or U.S. Senate]:
Click here to visit the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website for financial reporting forms and procedures.
For non-federal candidates, if you have not done so already, fill out the Appointment of Principle Campaign Committee form and file a copy with the Alabama Democratic Party, and most importantly, file with the Office of the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Room E-204, Montgomery, AL 36103 or mail to them certified at P. O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103, within 5 calendar days of: reaching the contribution or expenditure threshold for the office you are seeking or from the date your Qualifying form is notarized. (Remember: county candidates will file with their County Chair and the Probate Judge.)
Other SOS forms or info you'll need as a candidate
Keep other Pre-Election Report forms on file; fill out as described in the Candidate Filing Guide, and file with the Office of the Secretary of State on time according to the FCPA Deadlines. In addition, familiarize yourself with the Candidate Filing Guidelines, and Campaign Advertising Disclaimer Guidelines from the Secretary of State’s office.
FCPA DEADLINES
Candidates must file a disclosure form according to this calendar
Pre-Election Report Forms Version A
Version A forms are designed for printing and filling out by hand or by typewriter
Pre-Election Report Forms Version B
Version B forms are designed for filling out on your computer, then printing and signing
Waiver of Report Form
File this when there has been no activity in the campaign or PAC account for the upcoming election; the appropriate filing threshold has not been reached by the candidates; or the candidate has no opposition during the primary election cycle.
Statement of Dissolution
File this when dissolving your committee
Candidate Filing Guide
Click here for detailed info concerning filling out and filing financial report forms
Candidate Filing Guidelines
Click here if you need more info concerning financial reporting
Campaign Advertising Disclaimer
Print and broadcast media and campaign literature must be clearly identified with an advertising disclaimer
Fair Campaign Practices Act
If you have questions about the law, refer to this link containing the Alabama Code regarding the FCPA.
Alabama Ethics Commission Requirements
NOTICE TO FEDERAL CANDIDATES:
Click here to visit the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct website for information related to filing ethics disclosures as a candidate for Congress.
For non-federal candidates, if you have not filed your Statement of Economic Interests with the Alabama Ethics Commission already, fill out the following form and make enough copies to:
Download Statement of Economic Interests Form here
1. File the original with the Alabama Democratic Party
2. Keep a copy for your files
3. File a copy within 5 days of the date your Qualifying form is notarized, with the Alabama Ethics Commission, RSA Union, 100 N. Union St., Suite 104, Montgomery, AL 36104, or mail to P.O. Box 302300, Montgomery, AL 36130-2300. (Incumbents should have this form on file already.)
4. *JUDICIAL CANDIDATES ONLY* FILE A COPY WITH THE CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF QUALIFYING AS A CANDIDATE, 300 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104.
Canons of Judicial Ethics, Canon 6, Subsection C. A judge, at the time he or she takes the oath of office, or a candidate for judicial office, within 10 days after qualifying, shall file as a public document with the clerk of the supreme court a "statement of economic interests" on the form prepared and prescribed by the state ethics commission or its successor and shall disclose his or her economic interests as other state officers or candidates are required to disclose by any state ethics law. After the original filing of said statement of economic interest a judge shall file a current statement of his economic interests with the clerk of the supreme court on or before the thirtieth day of April of each year thereafter.
Alabama Democratic Party Requirements
The state party requires candidates to file two forms; the Qualification Form (Announcement & Declaration of Candidacy) and the Declaration of Candidate or Declaration of Incumbent.
Qualification Form (this form will be reposted closer to the beginning of qualifying for 2008)
Declaration of Candidate (for new candidates only)
Declaration of Incumbent (for incumbents only) *state employees usually have the Ethics Commission's Statement of Economic Interests form on file already with the Ethics Commission, but refilling as a candidate is advised. Candidates for party office (State and County Democratic Executive Committee) need only file the Qualification Form and fee!
File the following with the Alabama Democratic Party state headquarters, 501 Adams Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104, or mail certified to P.O. Box 950, Montgomery, AL 36101:
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Their are many resources available to candidates. For starters, a candidates manual is a good place to begin. Click here to view just one of many candidate manuals available. This one happens to be online, but their are others available from bookstores. We will update this page soon with more suggested reading.
By far the most beneficial and cost effective resource for a candidate is the voter registration database (aka the voter file). How can a candidate run an effective campaign when he or she doesn't know the audience to which they are speaking? The state party has been maintaining an up to date list of registered voters in the state for decades, and the sophistication of this list has grown exponentially. Contact the state party's voter file manager here for more information. We cannot stress enough how important this resource is to your victory.
