How Do Independent Candidates Get on the Ballot?

Running for office as an Independent is one of the most powerful ways to challenge the status quo, but first, you have to get your name on the ballot.

Whether you're launching a grassroots bid for city council or aiming higher, navigating the ballot access process is one of the biggest hurdles third-party and Independent candidates face. From signature requirements to filing deadlines, each state sets its own rules. This often creates barriers that favor major-party candidates.

So, how do Independent candidates get on the ballot? This guide breaks down what you need to know about ballot access laws, the signature collection process, and the strategies you can use to qualify and win.

What Is Ballot Access?

Ballot access is the process by which a candidate qualifies to appear on voters’ ballots. 

For Independent candidates, it typically involves:

• Meeting age, residency, and citizenship requirements

• Filing paperwork with the appropriate election office

• Gathering a required number of valid voter signatures

• Paying any applicable filing fees

• Following deadlines set by local or state election officials

Each step varies based on the level of office you’re running for and the state you’re in.

Understanding your state’s rules is the first and most important step.

Ballot Access Laws: What You’re Up Against

Ballot access is entirely determined by the states, so the rules for getting on the ballot can be tricky to follow. For many federal and state-wide offices, major-party candidates can get on the ballot through party nomination or winning a primary election. Even at the local level, some states give major-party candidates lower barriers to getting on the ballot. Conversely, Independent and third-party candidates almost always need to show they have public support to get on the ballot, usually by submitting petition signatures. 

While some states do require all candidates to gather signatures regardless of party affiliation, like Illinois and New York, major-party candidates may have lower requirements than their Independent counterparts. Ultimately, major-party candidates still always have an advantage over Independents, even in signature gathering, due to access to party resources and voter lists. 

Here are some other key things that make ballot access laws challenging:

Different States, Different Rules

Every state sets its own ballot access laws, and that means wildly different requirements for Independent candidates depending on where and what they’re running for.

Signature requirements, deadlines, and filing methods all depend on your state, and sometimes the rules can vary even by county or city. The number of signatures required also depends on the office you’re running for, with higher levels of office typically requiring more signatures.. 

Generally speaking, some states require a flat number of signatures, while others base their requirements on a percentage of turnout in previous elections.

For instance, in California, you need signatures equal to 1% of voters in the last election for state-wide office, or at least 3% of registered voters in your area for local offices. Alternatively, you can opt out of signatures and pay a fee equal to 2% of the salary for the office. So, if you’re running for city council in a district where 10,000 people voted in the last election, you’d need 300 signatures. Conversely, if that school board seat pays an annual salary of $10,000, you could pay a fee of $200 in lieu of signatures. 

Some further examples of signature requirements for Independent candidates include:

• In Texas, you need signatures equal to 1% of voters from the last gubernatorial election for statewide offices, or the lesser of 500 or 5% of the gubernatorial election turnout for that district, county, or precinct.

• In Florida, you must pay a filing fee equivalent to 4% of the annual salary of the office you’re running for, or collect signatures equal to 1% of the total number of registered voters in the district, county, or precinct you’re running in. 

• In New York, you need at least 5% of the total number of votes cast for governor within the political unit (county, district, etc.) in the last gubernatorial election. 

Major-party candidates and some minor parties may be exempt from signature requirements. 

LEARN MORE: See how many signatures you need to get on the ballot. 

Tight Deadlines

Most states have firm petitioning and filing deadlines. Miss one, and you’re out of the race, no exceptions. Filing deadlines may differ for Independents and major-party candidates, too. For instance, Independent candidates in New York have to file their petitions after the primary elections occur, giving them an automatic late start against their major-party counterparts. 

Filing Fees and Forms

While some states allow candidates to gather more signatures in lieu of a filing fee, other states require filing fees in addition to signatures. Even in states that allow signatures instead, there may be additional costs. For example, while you can gather signatures to avoid a filing fee in Florida, you need to pay for the signatures to be verified at a rate of $0.10 per signature. 

LEARN MORE: Understand all of the paperwork and filing requirements to run for office. 

Legal Gray Areas and Bureaucratic Landmines

Even minor technical errors can get a petition thrown out, and in some cases, opponents weaponize confusing election laws to challenge Independent candidates.  

Common issues Independent candidates may run into include:

• Signature Errors: Missing dates, duplicate names, or unregistered signers can invalidate petitions.

• Circulator Restrictions: Some states limit who can collect signatures, requiring in-district or in-state petitioners.

• Obscure Deadlines: Independent timelines often differ from major-party ones and can be buried in confusing legal code.

• Inconsistent Enforcement: Rules may be applied differently across counties, adding more uncertainty.

• Strategic Challenges: Opponents can object to your petition just to drain your time and resources.

The best defense is to start early, document everything, and don’t hesitate to ask for help, especially from local election officials or experienced candidates.

How to Get on the Ballot as an Independent

So, what’s the roadmap? Here’s how to get started and stay on track:

#1: Understand Your State’s Rules

Visit your Secretary of State or local elections office website to download candidate guides, filing instructions, and petition forms. 

You’ll need to know:

• Age and residency requirements

• Signature thresholds

• Filing deadlines

• Petition formats and notarization rules

• Whether you can substitute signatures for a filing fee

Contacting your state’s election office is the best way to ensure your information is accurate and up-to-date.

#2: Build Your Petitioning Strategy

The petition process is your first big campaign test. Think of it as your soft launch.

Here’s what works:

• Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to collect signatures, and don’t forget to account for the time it takes for the signatures to get validated.

• Verify voter eligibility. Every signature must come from a registered voter in your district.

• Train your team. Petition circulators must follow the rules or risk getting signatures tossed out.

• Double your goal. Aim to collect 150 to 200% of the number of required signatures to account for errors.

LEARN MORE: Use our free petitioning course to get expert tips and legal insights.

#3: Lean on Grassroots Power

While major-party candidates rely on party infrastructure, Independent candidates win with people power. 

Use your petitioning phase to:

• Recruit volunteers

• Talk to voters

• Test your campaign messaging

• Build name recognition

These early outreach efforts do double duty. While you’re collecting signatures, you’re also beginning your campaign launch, introducing yourself to voters, and showing that your campaign is serious and people-powered. 

Every conversation, every signature, and every volunteer recruited brings you one step closer to earning your spot on the ballot and winning your race.

What Makes Ballot Access So Hard for Independents?

The deck is often stacked against outsiders. Here’s why:

• Political parties write the rules and have little incentive to make ballot access easy for challengers.

• Independent candidates must petition from scratch in every cycle, unlike recognized party candidates.

• Voting laws, filing windows, and district maps can confuse or mislead new candidates.

• Legal challenges often come from partisan actors aiming to protect their turf.

But none of that means you can’t win. It just means you need to be prepared and persistent.

Real-World Examples and What We Can Learn

Some of the most successful Independent and third-party campaigns in U.S. history overcame serious ballot access obstacles, from federal wins like Angus King (I–ME) and Bernie Sanders (I–VT) to local triumphs like DeSoto, Texas councilwoman Debrah North. In 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Independent presidential campaign submitted over 135,000 signatures in New York alone, nearly triple the requirement, to overcome some of the strictest ballot access laws in the country.

These campaigns succeeded because they planned early, used smart petitioning strategies, and built community support from day one.

LEARN MORE: These candidates weren’t alone. See the 3,000+ Independents empowered by GoodParty.org who won their elections in 2024. 

Tips for Independent Candidates to Gain Ballot Access

Getting on the ballot is your first major campaign milestone. 

Here’s how to make it manageable:

• Start Early: The earlier you research and file, the more time you’ll have to build momentum and fix any issues.

• Build a Team: Even local campaigns benefit from a small, dedicated team of volunteers and advisors.

• Keep Good Records: Track signatures, filing dates, and communications with election offices.

• Prepare for Pushback: Know your appeal options if your petition is challenged. Connect with an election law attorney if you can.

Running for office as an Independent can be challenging, but with the right support and preparation, it’s more than possible. 

LEARN MORE: New to campaigning? Learn how to run for office for the first time. 

Getting On the Ballot in 2025 and 2026

Ballot access may be one of the biggest obstacles Independent candidates face, but it’s also your first chance to build trust with voters, organize supporters, and show you’re serious.

By understanding your state’s laws, planning a strong petitioning campaign, and staying organized, you can get on the ballot and make your voice heard without party permission.

GoodParty.org is here to help every step of the way. From free and low-cost tools to signature-gathering tips and community training, we’re on a mission to empower Independent candidates and level the playing field.

Photo by Edmond Dantès