Here are links to various forms and resources that will assist you in running for an elected office.

Offices and Qualifications

2023 Ohio Secretary of State's Candidate Guide
These resources will explain which offices are up for election, the requirements of each office, the petition required, number of voter signatures, filing fees and submission deadlines.

Petitions

Petitions are available from our office. It is recommended that you not "take out" petitions prior to six (6) months before an election as laws and forms change frequently.

Petitions are also available on-line.
Ohio Secretary of State Petitions and FormsOhio Secretary of State Petitions and Forms

Candidates are solely responsible for the full and correct completion of the petitions.

Write-In Candidates

In order to be a write-in candidate, a person must file a Declaration of Intent (Form 13). Only write-in candidates who have filed a valid declaration of intent will have votes counted in the election (R.C. 3513.041).
Write-in Form

Write-in candidates must file their declaration of intent with the appropriate county Board of Elections. A declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for an election must be filed no later than 4 p.m. 72 days before the election (R.C. 3513.041). A write-in candidate must pay the same filing fee as any other candidate for the office. Look for deadline information under the deadline heading on this page.

Ohio Ethics Commission Information
Click Here

Candidates for office and elected officials at the state, county and municipal level are required to file annually with the Ohio Ethics Commission. Qualifying individuals are responsible for deadlines and filing requirements.

List and Label Order Information
CLICK HERE

Anyone can request information from our voter database. Information can be provided in a variety of formats and can contain a wide selection of information. To order data you may simply use our on-line order form or
call our office at 419-354-9120.r

On-Line Wood County Voter Information Order Form

2023 Elections Calendar

Political Action Committees (PAC's)
Getting started:

Before receiving contributions or making expenditures, a Political Action Committee (PAC) must file a Designation of Treasurer form (30-D). This form is considered a "registration" form.

The PAC's name must include the name of its sponsoring organization, if any. PAC checks must contain the full name and address of the PAC, and, if the PAC files with the secretary of state, then it must also include its assigned registration number.

A PAC must establish a bank account that is separate from a person or business account of the candidate or of a member of the candidate's campaign committee. Contributions may not be placed in a candidate's personal or business account. All expenses paid from this account must be disclosed.
(R.C. 3517.10)

A federal identification number may be required by the committee's chosen financial institution. This number is issued by the Internal Revenue Service upon request.

General Information:

Where reports are filed is based on the PAC's activity. Generally, PAC's that contribute to county political parties, local candidate campaign committees, or local ballot issue committees will file the PAC's campaign finance reports with the local county board of elections. Candidates districts or issues that overlap into multiple counties will file with the county with the board of elections in the most populous county of that district. A PAC that makes contributions to candidates for member of the general assembly, statewide candidate, statewide ballot issues, state political parties or other PAC's that contribute to those candidates or issues will file its campaign finance reports with the secretary of state.