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How to run for office in New York.

The short, plain-English version — what you can run for, how to get on the ballot, and the official New York 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

In New York, ballot access runs on petitions rather than a filing fee. To appear on a party's primary ballot you circulate designating petitions (Election Law §6-132) and file them with the appropriate board of elections; candidates running outside the major parties use independent nominating petitions (§6-140). The petition windows are short and the signature rules are strict, so most candidates start early.

Offices you can run for
Federal (U.S. House and Senate); statewide offices (Governor and other state officials); State Senate and State Assembly; county, city, town, and village offices; and judicial seats.
How to get on the ballot
Collect the required number of valid signatures on designating petitions (the minimum depends on the office and the number of enrolled party members in the district). Petitions of ten or more sheets need a cover sheet, and in some cases you must file a certificate of acceptance. Signatures must come from eligible voters in the district, and petitions are filed with the State or county Board of Elections during the official petitioning period.
Who runs candidate filing
New York State Board of Elections(518) 474-6220

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

Official New York 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. New York is fully available — see how to get your voter file.

Get your New York voter file →

Talk to us about your New York 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.

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