VIRGINIA RESOURCES
[Warning: This has NOT been updated for 2021!]
Running for Virginia House of Delegates in 2019Overview of steps to run for House of Delegates. Candidates embraced by the Libertarian Booster PAC can receive support all along the way. Basic steps: 1. Collect 125 valid petition signatures. 2. Get nominated by the Libertarian Party of Virginia. 3. File initial paperwork with the Virginia Department of Elections. 4. File periodic campaign finance reports. 5. Get a website and other campaign materials. 6. Respond to inquiries from the media, organizations, individuals. 7. Get Out the Vote activities. Getting started: Find out what district you are in: Who's My Legislator Check the incumbent's voting record and get motivated to run by reviewing the Libertarian Booster PAC's Legislative Scorecard for Virginia Assembly Check to see if any other Libertarians have already publicly declared for that same position (which is unlikely): https://my.lp.org/2019-candidates/ Qualifications: Qualifications to run for House of Delegates:
Petitioning (your top priority until done):
Getting nominated by the Libertarian Party of Virginia: Once the party is aware of your interest in running for office, the Libertarian Party of Virginia will schedule a convention (it's a very simple meeting typically with just a few to several attendees) who will note on whether or not to nominate you as a Libertarian Party candidate. If not nominated as a Libertarian, you still have the option to run as an independent. File Initial Paperwork: Steps below are summarized from the VA Board of Elections Candidate Bulletin for 2019 House of Delegates and Senate. Important note regarding page 2 "Definitions and Key Icons": because the Libertarian Party doesn't have full party status in Virginia, Libertarian candidates fall under the category definition of "Independent-an individual who is seeking to run in a General Election without running as a Republican or Democrat (may include a recognized party or no party)." 0. Important Notice: See item 5 below. You will probably will need to file that Statement of Organization for a Candidate before items 1-4 are complete. 1. File "Certificate of Candidate Qualification-General Assembly with the Virginia Department of Elections" before 7 p.m. Tuesday June 11, 2019. Can be USPS registered or certified mailed or hand delivered. Address (use registered or certified mail): Virginia Department of Elections 1100 Bank Street Richmond, VA 23219 2. File "Statement of Economic Interests-General Assembly (SOEI)" with VA Department of Elections by 7 p.m. Tuesday June 11, 2019. Can be USPS registered or certified mailed or hand delivered. 3. No primary filing fee. 4a. File "Declaration of Candidacy-General Assembly" with General Registrar of your locality by 7 p.m. Tuesday June 11, 2019 (must be received by then-postmark doesn't count). 4b. Not needed for our candidates. 4c. File "Petitions of Qualified Voters" with General registrar of your locality by 7 p.m. Tuesday June 11, 2019. 5. File two copies of Statement of Organization for a Candidate, within 10 days of meeting specific conditions (you accept a contribution, you spend any funds, you pay a filing fee [n/a for Libertarians], you file a Certificate of Candidate Qualification, you appoint a campaign treasurer, campaign committee, or campaign depository): a) one copy with the Department of Elections according to instructions in COMET (the VA campaign finance reporting system). b) one copy with your General Registrar after filing with the Department of Elections. Campaign Finance Reports: 6. File Campaign Finance Reports with the Department of Elections through COMET according to schedule here which likely means for the remainder of 2019: April 15, June 3, July 15, September 16, October 15, October 28, and December 5. Account should be closed by December 5 or else you have to file additional reports. Get a website and other campaign materials:
Respond to inquiries from the media, organizations, individuals:
Get Out the Vote: The Libertarian Booster PAC may be able to assist with sign, brochure, and other outreach efforts depending on PAC finances and the ability of the campaign to distribute materials. Final Comments: Running for office as a Libertarian takes some work, but the Libertarian Booster PAC will be there every step of the way to assist when possible. Win or lose, your campaign will help point the way towards freedom for voters and the rest of the Virginia House of Delegate. Thank you so much for running. Don't hesitate to contact me when I can be of service. --Wes Benedict Founder & President Libertarian Booster PAC wesbenedict@gmail.com 512-659-8896 |
More Virginia ResourcesOfficial site: Virginia General Assembly Find out what district you are in: Who's My Legislator Wikipedia: Virginia General Assembly Ballotpedia: Virginia General Assembly Virginia's Legislative Information System: LIS Historical Election Results Virginia Budget Libertarian Booster PAC's Legislative Scorecard for Virginia Assembly Other organizations' legislative scorecards: BallotPedia Virginia Department of Elections: Candidate Bulletin for House of Delegate and Senate Historical Election Results Summary of Laws and Policies Candidate Campaign Committees Summary of Laws and Policies Out of State Political Action Committees Summary of Laws and Policies for Political Action Committees Regulations for Advertising:
2019 Election Calendar 2/2/2019 Candidate filing opens 6/11/2019 Candidate filing deadline (7 pm) 11/5/2019 General Election |