8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
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JoinRun for County Sheriff in Somerset County County, ME
Election Date: Nov 3, 2026Filing Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: county
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: N/A
- Is this a runoff election? No
- Is this a primary election? No
- Filing period: N/A - Jun 1, 2026
- Positions: Maine State Senate - District 25Maine House of Representatives - District 25Somerset County Probate RegisterSomerset County TreasurerSomerset County Sheriff...
Job description
The County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement official of the county and is responsible for ensuring that all local, state, and federal laws are followed.
Eligibility requirements
A candidate for any County Office must be at least 18 years of age and a resident and voter in the electoral district which the candidate seeks to represent as of the date that the candidate files nomination petitions in the year of the election. A person may not be a candidate for election to the office of sheriff or serve as sheriff of any county in the State unless the candidate meets the following qualifications: A. The candidate swears to or affirms the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics; B. The candidate has never been convicted of a Class C or higher crime; C. The candidate applies to the Secretary of State for a criminal background investigation; D. The candidate submits written certification from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy that the candidate has: (1) Met the basic law enforcement training standards under Title 25, section 2804-C; or (2) Met the basic corrections training standards under Title 25, section 2804-D; and E. The candidate swears to or affirms that the candidate has at least 5 years of supervisory employment experience and submits the name, address and telephone number for the relevant employer or employers.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 111 Sewall Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, ME 04333
Filing phone number: 207-624-7736
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the Maine Secretary of State's office.
Filing requirements: Collect at least 300 signatures. Petitions are available from the Department of the Secretary of State, Division of Elections, located at the Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 4th floor, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine. You may pick up the petitions in person, have another person obtain them for you or have the petitions mailed to you. You may begin circulating petitions January 1st. Signers must be Maine registered voters of the electoral district of the candidate. Have each petition verified by its circulator - the "Circulator's Oath" must be completed on each petition. Have all signatures certified by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which you are registered prior to filing with the Secretary of State. Petitions must be submitted to the registrars for certification by 5 p.m., May 25th of the election year. Sign the "Candidate's Consent" section of the Non-Party Candidate's Consent and Certification of Unenrollment (a separate form from the petition) before a Notary Public. Have the Registrar of Voters in the municipality where you are registered to vote complete the "Certification of Candidate Unenrollment" which is printed as part of the Candidate's Consent and Certification of Unenrollment form. Present the petitions and the "Non-party Candidate's Consent and Certification of Unenrollment" to the Secretary of State for review on or before 5 p.m., June 1st.
FAQ
How often is County Sheriff elected?
The position of County Sheriff is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Somerset County County, ME?
Collect at least 300 signatures. Petitions are available from the Department of the Secretary of State, Division of Elections, located at the Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 4th floor, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine. You may pick up the petitions in person, have another person obtain them for you or have the petitions mailed to you. You may begin circulating petitions January 1st. Signers must be Maine registered voters of the electoral district of the candidate. Have each petition verified by its circulator - the "Circulator's Oath" must be completed on each petition. Have all signatures certified by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which you are registered prior to filing with the Secretary of State. Petitions must be submitted to the registrars for certification by 5 p.m., May 25th of the election year. Sign the "Candidate's Consent" section of the Non-Party Candidate's Consent and Certification of Unenrollment (a separate form from the petition) before a Notary Public. Have the Registrar of Voters in the municipality where you are registered to vote complete the "Certification of Candidate Unenrollment" which is printed as part of the Candidate's Consent and Certification of Unenrollment form. Present the petitions and the "Non-party Candidate's Consent and Certification of Unenrollment" to the Secretary of State for review on or before 5 p.m., June 1st.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the Maine Secretary of State's office.
Where is the filing office?
111 Sewall Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, ME 04333.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 207-624-7736.
How do I get started running for County Sheriff?
You can start running for County Sheriff by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for County Sheriff does not include a primary or runoff election.
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