Candidate Process

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The foregoing does not constitute legal or election advice. 

NOTE: The information contained here is intended to provide general guidance for those who are preparing to circulate petitions, and is not to be used as a substitute for consulting the Election Law for specific petition requirements.

Persons wishing to run for elective office may be nominated either by a political party or through the filing of an independent nominating petition. Party members may also circulate petitions to create the opportunity to write in the name of an unspecified person for an office in which there is no contest for the party endorsement. The current political parties are the Democratic, Republican, Conservative, and Working Families parties. Any person who is not nominated by one of these parties must file an independent nominating petition. The requirements for all petitions are contained in Article 6 of the Election Law. The provisions for village elections vary slightly, and the reader is directed to Article 15 of the Election Law for specifics.

If you have any specific questions relating to the qualifying process, please contact the State Board of Elections at (518) 473-5086 or consult an attorney. Also visit the State Board of Election's website on candidate qualifying for more information or Westchester County Board of Election.