Office of the Secretary of the State

Candidate Ballot Access

Candidate Ballot Access

Thank you for your interest in running for office in Connecticut. Here you can find information regarding the qualifications you must meet to run for office in Connecticut.

How do I get on the ballot?

  • Consult local party officials to determine how to qualify for nomination by an established political party.
  • Learn how to petition your way onto the ballot.

Below you will find information for filing or applying for a Primary Petition (statewide, congressional, and multi-district offices only), Certificate of Party Endorsement, 15% Eligibility (multi-town only), or Nomination (minor parties) for office using Docusign and paper forms. Please note that primary petitions are available to enrolled major party members only. Minor party members are not eligible to participate in primaries. Single-town offices (Assembly, Judge of Probate, and Registrar of Voters) are available from your local Registrar of Voters.

Eligibility:

These forms are only for candidates who meet one of the following criteria and whose eligibility has been certified by the Chairperson, Presiding Office or Secretary of the convention: 

  • Have been endorsed, or
  • Have received at least 15% of the vote, or
  • Have been nominated by a minor party with statewide ballot access.

Primary Petition Application: Statewide or Congressional Office:

If you would like a primary petition for statewide or congressional office, email sots.ballotaccess@ct.gov.

Primary Petition Application: District Office of State Senate, State Assembly (Multi-Town), or Judge of Probate (Multi-Town):

Availability of Primary Petitions: In accordance with CGS § 9-404a, primary petitions for major party candidates for multi-town offices become available on the 77th day preceding the day of the primary, which is Tuesday, May 26, 2026. These petitions are available from the Secretary of the State for candidates running for multi-town senator, state representative, or judge of probate.

  • Deadline for Primary Petitions: Petitions must be submitted to the respective Registrar of Voters no later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.  Petitions received after this deadline will be rejected, as required by law. Please see the list of Registrar of Voters.
  • Application for Primary Petition District Offices: Electronic Submission Requirements: To apply using Docusign, the candidate must have an email address. The candidate may complete the application themselves, or another individual may begin the application on their behalf. However, the candidate must complete their portion, including providing their electronic signature. Email addresses are required for all participants.

Select your Docusign application: Available May 26, 2026 

Major Party Endorsements, 15% Eligibility for Multi-Town Districts, and Minor Party Nominations with Statewide Ballot Access

Please note that this form is intended only for candidates who have been endorsed, who have received at least 15% of the vote, or who have been nominated by a minor party with statewide ballot access, and whose endorsement or nomination has been attested by the Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary of the convention.

  • Deadlines: The major party deadline to file is within 14 days of the meeting, by 4 pm (if it is a Saturday, Sunday, or Legal Holiday, forms are due the next business day). The minor party deadline is September 2, 2026, at 4 pm.
  • Application for Major Party Endorsements, 15% Eligibility for Multi-Town Districts, and Minor Party Nominations with Statewide Ballot Access: To apply with Docusign, you must have an email address for the candidate and the Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary. The Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary must start the form. The candidate will receive an email from the Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary.

Select your Docusign application:

Vacancy in Nomination (Available to all parties after an original withdrawal form is received by the Secretary of State):

Please note this form is only intended for candidates who have been nominated to fill a vacancy in endorsement. The original withdrawal letter must have been received by the Secretary of State for a vacancy to exist.  

  • Deadlines: The last day for a candidate to withdraw is September 18th, and for the Party to replace a candidate is September 22nd. 
  • Application for Vacancy in Nomination: To apply with Docusign, you must have an email address for the candidate and the Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary of the Vacancy Committee. The Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary must start the form. The candidate will receive an email from the Chairperson, Presiding Officer, or Secretary. 

Select your Docusign application: Coming soon! 

Paper Forms:

If you require a paper form, it may be available below or please email sots.ballotaccess@ct.gov for the form. You may submit your application through a paper form in person to the Secretary of the State’s Office during regular business hours.