RYAN MESSER

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

WALTON COUNTY ● FLORIDA

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Become a Candidate

This page is designed to provide information and link to resources necessary for local county-level candidates to run for office. State, multi-county, or city candidates should contact the appropriate qualifying office listed below. For information about becoming a political party committeeman or committeewoman, establishing a local political committee, or for any other questions, please contact our office. 

Additional Campaign Resources & Information
Important Disclaimers

Qualifying Offices

Federal, State, and Multi-County Candidates: Florida Division of Elections

County Candidates: Walton County Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 
571 US Hwy 90 East, Suite 102, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 – contact us

Municipal (City) Candidates: City Clerk

Offices Up for Election

Office Holders & Next Election Date
Notices of General Election

2026 County Offices Up for Election:
(Not including municipalities)

  • County Judge
  • County Commissioner, District 2
  • County Commissioner, District 4
  • School Board Member, District 2
  • School Board Member, District 3
  • School Board Member, District 5
  • Supervisor of Elections
  • Tax Collector (to fill unexpired portion of the term)
  • Argyle Fire District: Seats 1, 3, and 5
  • Choctawhatchee River Soil and Water Conservation District: Districts 1, 3, and 5
  • Hammock Bay Community Development District: Seats 4 and 5
  • Liberty Fire District: Seats 1, 3, and 5
  • South Walton County Mosquito Control District: Seat 3
  • South Walton Fire District: Seats 2, 3, 4, and 6

Step 1: Become a candidate

An individual may announce their intent to run for county office at any time, but they only become an official candidate once the required forms are filed. The forms listed below may be completed and submitted either before or during the qualifying period.

Filing these forms authorizes a candidate to open a campaign bank account, accept contributions, make expenditures, and collect petitions (if applicable—see petition section below for submission deadline and details).

Once filed, the candidate’s name will be listed on our website and login credentials will be provided for submitting regular campaign finance reports online. Once logged in, an instructions guide is available via the red “Help” button to assist with completing the reports. Reports must be filed according to the official reporting schedule, and late reports are subject to fines payable from personal funds under Section 106.07(8), Florida Statutes. The online reporting system supports real-time data entry to simplify accounting and expedite submission.

A Campaign Treasurer Handbook is also available to guide candidates through the process of being a candidate, campaigning, managing campaign finances, political advertising, and more. 

Forms:

  • Form DS-DE 9  — Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository
    • Must be filed before opening your campaign account, accepting contributions, making expenditures, or collecting petitions
    • Some banks may require you to file a form with the IRS when opening your account. 
  • Form DS-DE 84 — Statement of Candidate-updated Apr 1, 2026
  • Form DS-DE 83 — Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office-updated Apr 1, 2026
  • Affidavit of Intent
    • For certain special district candidates only
    • Candidates for special districts who will not open a campaign account, collect contributions, or make expenditures may file this form in lieu of DS-DE 9 and DS-DE 84.
    • (Special districts include fire districts, community development districts, mosquito control districts, and soil and water conservation districts.)

Note: Candidates eligible for address protection must also submit the appropriate public disclosure exemption form to have their information protected. 

Step 2: Qualifying to run for office

Qualifying is the process by which a candidate completes the final legal requirements to run for office. Our office begins accepting qualifying forms and fees 14 days before the official qualifying period.

We strongly encourage candidates to begin early to allow enough time to complete all steps, correct errors, and meet all deadlines. Some requirements may take significant time to complete. Candidates are encouraged to file early, double-check all documents, and ensure payments are properly submitted to avoid disqualification.

All qualifying forms and fees must be received by the close of the qualifying period for a candidate to be duly qualified.

The qualifying periods are as follows for county and district offices:

Qualifying Periods:

  • Judicial Candidates: Noon, April 20, 2026 – Noon, April 24, 2026
    Qualifying items may be submitted beginning April 6, 2026.

  • All Other Candidates: Noon, June 8, 2026 – Noon, June 12, 2026
    Qualifying items may be submitted beginning May 26, 2026.

Forms:

In addition to the forms required in Step 1 above, the following forms must be completed and submitted during the qualifying period (or within the 14 days before qualifying begins):

  • Form 6 or Form 1 – Financial Disclosure Form
    • Which form is determined by the office sought.
    • Must be completed electronically on the Florida Commission on Ethics website.
      (May take a significant amount of time to complete)
    • A printed copy of the completed form must be filed with our office.
  • Candidate Oath Form (DS-DE 301 through 305-updated Apr 1, 2026)
    • Specific oath form depends on the office sought.
    • Includes the candidate’s official name as it will appear on the ballot.
    • Includes nickname affidavit, if needed.
  • Soil and Water Conservation Qualification Oath Form
    • Required only for candidates seeking Soil and Water Conservation District office.

Qualifying by Fee or Petition:

Candidates must qualify by either paying the qualifying fee or by submitting verified candidate petitions (unless running as a write-in).

Petition Method

  • Petition Submission Deadlines:
    • Judicial Candidates: Noon, March 23, 2026
    • All Other Candidates: Noon, May 11, 2026

  • Number of Valid Petitions Required: (Form DS-DE 104)
    • County Offices: 603 valid petitions 
    • Special District Offices: 25 valid petitions

  • Petition Verification: $0.10 per petition.
    Candidates are encouraged to submit more petitions than required to account for invalid signatures.

  • A Petition Handbook is available to guide candidates.

Fee Method

  • County Offices:
    Qualifying fees are based on a percentage of the previous year’s salary of the office:
    • Filing Fee = 3%
    • Election Assessment = 1%
    • Party Assessment (partisan candidates only) = 2%

    For county offices, qualifying fees must be paid from the candidate’s campaign account.

    Offices:3+1=4%
    (Running with No Party or Nonpartisan Office)    		3+1+2=6%
    (Running with Party Affiliation)
    County Judge$7,441.36N/A
    Co. Commissioner, Dist. 2 & 4$2,420.72$3,631.08
    School Board, Dist. 2, 3, & 5$1,589.28N/A
    Supervisor of Elections$5,831.56$8,747.34
    Tax Collector$6,931.84$10,397.76

  • Special District Offices: $25.00 flat fee.

Additional Requirements:

Residency

Party Affiliation Requirements

Resign-to-Run / Hatch Act

Judicial Candidates with Opposition

Reporting Loans for Elected Officials

All personal loans exceeding $500 in value, made to a candidate and used for campaign purposes, and made in the twelve months preceding their election to office, must be
reported on Forms DS-DE 73 and DS-DE 73A, Campaign Loans Report, and filed with the filing officer within ten days after being elected to office. 

Petition verification fees may be waived if the candidate chooses to file Form DS-DE 19A – Affidavit of Undue Burden and abides by the stipulations.

A write-in candidate is not required to submit petitions or pay a qualifying fee. A write-in candidate’s name will not be printed on the ballot. A blank space for voters to write in a qualified write-in candidate’s name will appear on the General Election ballot only when at least one write-in candidate has properly qualified to be a write-in candidate. Only votes for qualified write-in candidates are counted. 

Additional Resources & Information

Additional Campaign Resources & Information
Notice of 2026 Elections and Meetings

Disclaimers

Please note that the Walton County Supervisor of Elections Office is a small office with limited staffing. During election cycles, our office experiences a high volume of activity and may not be able to respond immediately. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

While we strive to provide the most accurate and timely information, it is ultimately the responsibility of each candidate or committee to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and to use the most current forms and materials. Rules, statutes, and forms may change frequently.

Requirements may vary depending on the office you are seeking and the circumstances of your candidacy. Be sure you follow the correct rules and procedures for your situation. 

This office does not provide legal advice, opinions, or interpretations. Please consult legal counsel when needed.

Our office is ministerial, meaning we are bound to follow the law and cannot act on personal judgement or discretion.

Finally, we are not a law enforcement agency. However, when appropriate, we will contact or direct you to the proper authorities, if needed.