Enclosed below please find the necessary information as to how to file to be a candidate for a local office. This information was taken from the Johnson County Election office. For further information please go to www.jocoelection.org.

County Offices - Filing Requirements

Where to File - Guidelines - Filing by Fee or by Petition
Documents to be Filed
Campaign Finance Reports - Deadlines
      Print and save this information to meet your report deadlines

Where to File - Filing by Fee or by Petition

Filing Location

• Candidates file at the Johnson County Election Office, 2101 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe.

Guidelines

• County Commissioner candidates are elected on a non-partisan basis.
• Sheriff candidates are elected on a partisan basis.
• Candidates may be nominated either by political party nomination or independent nomination. Democratic and Republican candidates must run in the primary and may file by either fee or petition. Candidates of other recognized parties (currently, Libertarian and Reform) do not run in the primary, but are nominated for the general election by the party's caucus or convention. Independent candidates do not run in the primary and may file for the general election only by petition. All non-federal candidates must pay report fees, appoint treasurers and file periodic campaign finance reports.

Filing by Fee

• The filing fee is either a set amount or based on a percentage of the salary of the office the candidate is seeking. An additional report fee of $35 is required.
  
• County Commissioner Chair - Filing Fees     To be elected in 2010
  Salary -
  Filing Fee - (1% of salary)
  Report Fee - $35
  Total Fee -
• County Commissioners - By District - Filing Fees  
  Salary - $48,390
  Filing Fee - $484 (1% of salary)
  Report Fee - $35
  Total Fee - $519
• County Sheriff - Filing Fees  
  Salary - $120,000
  Filing Fee - $1,200 (1% of salary)
  Report Fee - $35
  Total Fee - $ 1,235

Filing by Petition

• County Commissioners  
  County Commissioner candidates filing by petition must have valid signatures of 4% of the total registered voters in their district. A report fee of $35 is required. (K.S.A. 25-205(e)(3))
• County Sheriff  
  Democratic and Republican primary candidates must have valid signatures of 3% of the party's registration from the county or district. A report fee of $35 is required. (K.S.A. 25-205(e)(3))
  
  Independent candidates must have valid signatures of 4% of the total registered voters in their jurisdiction. A report fee of $35 is required. (KSA 25-303(c))

Documents to be Filed

Declaration of Intention (Filing Form)

• Form is provided by and is filed with the Election Office.
• Election Office sends a copy of the declaration to the Governmental Ethics Commission (GEC) for the purpose of campaign finance reporting.

Statement of Substantial Interests for Local Office

• Completed form is due no later than ten (10) days after the filing deadline.
• Form is filed with the Election Office.

Appointment of Treasurer Form

• Form is provided by the Election Office at the time of filing.
• Candidates have ten (10) days after filing to file the Appointment of Treasurer Form.
• Completed form is filed with the Election Office.
• Election Office forwards a copy of the completed form to the GEC.
• Candidates may not take in or spend any campaign funds until the Appointment of Treasurer Form is filed.

GEC Affidavit of Exemption from Filing Receipts and Expenditures Reports

• Form is provided by the Governmental Ethics Commission and is mailed directly to County candidates.
• Completed form is due nine (9) days prior to the primary election.
• Completed form is filed with the Election Office.
• Election Office forwards a copy of the completed form to the GEC.
• If a candidate anticipates receiving and spending less than $500.00 in the Primary Election and anticipates receiving and spending less than an additional $500.00 in the General Election, he/she can file an Affidavit of Exemption. This affidavit waives the need for a candidate's treasurer to file campaign Receipts and Expenditures Reports.
• A County Office candidate must appoint a treasurer and file an Appointment of Treasurer Form even if an Affidavit of Exemption is filed.

Receipts and Expenditures Report

• Reporting form is provided by the GEC and is mailed directly to a candidate's treasurer.
• Completed reporting form is filed with the Election Office.
• Election Office forwards a copy of the report to the GEC.
• During an election cycle, three (3) Receipts and Expenditures Reports are required for County candidates: (1) a pre-primary election report; (2) a pre-general report; and (3) an early January wrap-up report.

Filing Campaign Finance Reports

• Candidates for local office file reports with the county election officer pursuant to KSA 25-4148 and 25-901.
• Questions may be directed to (913) 782-3441 or election@jocoelection.org

Site last updated: October 2, 2007 10:39 AM

 Please send any comments or questions to the developer at election@jocoelection.org or to the Johnson County Election Office 2101 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe, Kansas 66061.  Phone: (913) 782-3441. Fax: (913) 791-1753.

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