How to run for office in Arizona.

The short, plain-English version — what you can run for, how to get on the ballot, and the official Arizona resources that are the final word. Then, when you're qualified, Motion51 gets your voters on a map and your volunteers knocking.

The short version

Arizona nominates partisan candidates through the primary. Before collecting signatures, candidates for federal, statewide, and legislative office file a Statement of Interest. You then reach the ballot by filing nomination petitions — many candidates collect signatures through the state's online E-Qual portal.

Offices you can run for
Federal (U.S. House and Senate); statewide offices (Governor and others); the Legislature; county and city/town offices; and judicial offices (some elected, some on retention).
How to get on the ballot
File a Statement of Interest first, then file nomination petitions (on paper or through E-Qual) carrying at least the minimum number of signatures for the office — and no more than the maximum — during the petition filing window. Signature minimums vary by office and by party registration in the district.
Who runs candidate filing
Arizona Secretary of State — Elections Division1-877-843-8683

This is a plain-language overview, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fees change every election cycle and vary by office — the official Arizona resources below are the final word. When in doubt, the elections authority is right and we're wrong.

Official Arizona candidate resources

Start here for the exact deadlines, fees, forms, and signature counts for your office and cycle.

Once you're on the ballot, Motion51 runs your field game.

Get your district's voter file loaded, cut into walkable turf, and onto an app your volunteers use at the door. Arizona is fully available — see how to get your voter file.

Get your Arizona voter file →

Talk to us about your Arizona race

Tell us what you're running for and we'll help you go from "qualified" to "knocking doors" — voter file loaded, turf cut, volunteers set up.