Before you build a plan,
verify the ground beneath it.

Identify the correct authority

• Which office handles candidate information for this specific office and election?
• Where are its current candidate materials and contact details published?
• Does another agency handle campaign-finance questions?

Ask about the applicable materials

• Which eligibility, nomination, filing and ballot instructions apply to the office?
• Where are the official deadlines and any current amendments?
• How can you confirm that the version you have is current?
• What evidence should you retain when an instruction or submission is confirmed?

Plan your office routine

• Who is responsible for checking sources and maintaining the calendar?
• Where will restricted records and submission receipts be stored?
• Who reviews an unresolved question before it becomes a missed task?
• What will you review each week?

For federal ballot-access orientation, see the FEC’s ballot-access page. It directs candidates to relevant state election offices; it is not a state or local filing checklist.