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
- Eligibility for nomination
- Contact your political party
- Assembly process
- Submit certificate of designation form
- Submit candidate acceptance form
- Submit audio recording
- 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] Check with your party to see if it has different affiliation requirements.
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]
Proof of registration and affiliation qualifications will be as shown in the statewide voter registration system. [3]
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.
Step 3: Assembly Process
Minor political party candidates may be designated for the general election ballot during their party’s assemblies, which must be held no later than 73 days before the primary election.
A candidate needs at least 30% of the assembly votes cast to be placed on the general election ballot. [4]
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. [5]
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, hand deliver, email, or fax to:
Colorado Secretary of State
Attention: Ballot Access
1700 Broadway, Suite 550
Denver, CO 80290
Email: ballot.access@coloradosos.gov
Fax: 303-869-4861
The original or faxed copy must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than four days after the adjournment of the assembly. If the form is sent electronically, the original must also be filed and postmarked no later than ten days after the adjournment of the assembly. [6]
Step 5: Submit candidate acceptance form
1. Complete the Candidate Acceptance of Assembly Designation form. [7]
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. [8]
2. Mail, hand deliver, email, or fax to:
Colorado Secretary of State
Attention: Ballot Access
1700 Broadway, Suite 550
Denver, CO 80290
Email: ballot.access@coloradosos.gov
Fax: 303-869-4861
The original or faxed copy must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than four days after the adjournment of the assembly. If the form is sent electronically, the original must also be filed and postmarked no later than ten days after the adjournment of the assembly. [9]
Step 6: Submit audio recording
Candidate audio recording must be submitted to the Secretary of State no later than four 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. [10]
Step 7: Name placed on ballot
Minor party candidates nominated by assembly are placed on the general election ballot, unless multiple candidates are nominated by assembly or petition for the same office; then the candidates are placed on the primary ballot. [11]
[1] 1-4-1304(2)(b), C.R.S.
[2] 1-4-1304(1.5)(b)(II), C.R.S.
[3] 1-4-1304(2)(b), C.R.S.
[4] 1-4-1304(1.5)(b)(II), C.R.S.
[5] 1-4-1304(1.5)(c), (d), C.R.S.
[6] 1-4-1304(3), C.R.S.
[7] 1-4-1304(4), C.R.S.
[8] 1-5-407(4), C.R.S.
[9] 1-4-1304(4), C.R.S.
[10] SOS Election Rule 4.6.1
[11] 1-4-1304(1.5)(II)(c) & (d), C.R.S.