Have you announced your candidacy and filed the required campaign finance forms?

Yes, continue to Step 1.

No, I need to become a candidate.

 

Steps

1. Eligibility for nomination
2. Contact your political party
3. Assembly process
4. Submit certificate of designation form
5. Submit candidate acceptance form
6. Submit audio recording
7. Name placed on ballot

 

Step 1:  Eligibility for nomination

Candidates must meet the basic qualifications for office.

A candidate must be registered as affiliated with that party no later than the first business day of January of the election year. [1]

Candidates who wish to gain ballot access through the party assembly must receive at least 30% of the votes cast by assembly delegates present and voting for that specific office at the party assembly. [2] 

Minor party candidates nominated by assembly are placed on the general election ballot unless there is more than one candidate for that office nominated by assembly and/or petition; then the candidates are placed on the primary ballot. [3] 

Proof of registration and affiliation qualifications will be as shown on the voter registration books of the county clerk and recorder. [4] 

Review the election calendar (PDF) for specific dates.

 

Step 2:  Contact Your Political Party

Potential candidates should contact their party to determine the exact date and time of the assembly. The political party will be able to answer questions about party protocol, announcements, party campaign rules, etc.  [5]

Political Party Information

 

Step 3:  Assembly Process

Minor political party candidates for United States Representative may be designated for the general election ballot during their party’s district assembly, which must be held no later than 73 days before the primary election.

A candidate needs at least 30% of the votes cast to be placed on the general election ballot. [6]

If, after the assembly, there are multiple candidates for an office (either because two candidates received at least 30% of the assembly votes, or at least one candidate has been designated for that office by petition), the candidate must be nominated by primary election. [7]

 

Step 4: Submit certificate of designation form

1. Complete the Certificate of Designation (PDF) form.
   
   Must be signed by the chairman or secretary of the party.
   
   
2. Mail or hand deliver to:
   
   Colorado Secretary of State
   Attention:  Ballot Access
   1700 Broadway, Suite 200
   Denver, CO 80290
   
   The original or faxed copy of both forms must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than four days after adjournment of the assembly. If the forms are sent electronically, the originals must also be filed and postmarked no later than ten days after the adjournment of the assembly.

 

Step 5:  Submit candidate acceptance form

1. Complete the Candidate Acceptance of Assembly Designation form and have it notarized. [8]
   
   The Candidate Acceptance of Designation must state the candidate’s name the way it will appear on the ballot. Candidate names may not contain any title or degree designating the business or profession of the candidate. [9]
   
   
   
2. Mail or hand deliver to:
   
   Colorado Secretary of State
   Attention:  Ballot Access
   1700 Broadway, Suite 200
   Denver, CO 80290
   
   The original or faxed copy of both forms must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than four days after adjournment of the assembly. If the forms are sent electronically, the originals must also be filed and postmarked no later than ten days after the adjournment of the assembly.

If the Candidate Acceptance of Designation is not filed within the specified time, the candidate will be deemed to have declined the nomination.  [10]

 

Step 6:  Submit audio recording

Candidate audio recording must be submitted to the Secretary of State no later than 10 days after the adjournment of the assembly.  The audio recording must state the candidate’s name exactly as it appears on the candidate acceptance form, as this is how the candidate’s name will appear on the ballot. [11]

Audio Recording Instructions.

 

Step 7:  Name placed on ballot

Minor party candidates nominated by assembly are placed on the general election ballot. [12]

 

 

 

[1] 1-4-601(4)(a) & 1-4-1304(2)(b), C.R.S.
[2] 1-4-601(2) & 1-4-1304(1.5)(b)(II), C.R.S.
[3] 1-4-1304, C.R.S.
[4] 1-4-501(1), C.R.S.
[5] 1-4-1304(1.5)(b)(I), C.R.S.
[6] 1-4-1304(1.5)(b)(II), C.R.S.
[7] 1-4-1304(1.5)(c), (d), C.R.S.
[8] 1-4-906, C.R.S.
[9] 1-5-407(4), C.R.S.
[10] 1-4-1304(4), C.R.S.
[11] SOS Election Rule 10.4.1
[12] 1-4-601(1), C.R.S.