Candidate Resources

Attention: Chapter 2026-26, Laws of Florida, has been enacted as of April 1, 2026. The new law includes new requirements for candidate qualifying. These requirements are effective upon becoming law. Emergency Rule 1SER26-2 has been adopted, and the incorporated qualifying forms are now available on the Candidate Online Packets pages on the Lee Elections' website. These forms are the most current version that must be used to qualify.

Attention: Chapter 2026-26, Laws of Florida, has been enacted as of April 1, 2026. The new law includes new requirements for candidate qualifying. These requirements are effective upon becoming law. Emergency Rule 1SER26-2 has been adopted, and the incorporated qualifying forms are now available on the Candidate Online Packets pages on the Lee Elections' website. These forms are the most current version that must be used to qualify. The deadline for candidates to change their party affiliation to run as a party nominee or without party affiliation, as applicable, was June 8, 2025. Directive 2026-02 (Name Change) Petition Deadlines Petition Deadlines Judicial Petition Deadline: NOON, March 23, 2026 All Other Candidates Petition Deadline: NOON, May 11, 2026 Contact the Qualifying Department at 239-533-8683 to schedule an appointment for submitting petitions. Qualifying Dates Qualifying Dates Judicial Qualifying Dates: Noon, April 20 through Noon, April 24, 2026 Candidates may pre-qualify beginning on April 6, 2026. All Other Candidates Qualifying Dates: Noon, June 8 through Noon, June 12, 2026 Candidates may pre-qualify beginning on May 25, 2026. (Our office will be closed on May 25 for the Memorial Day holiday.) To submit completed documents, visit the Main Office at 2480 Thompson Street Fort Myers 33901 Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Call the Qualifying Department at 239-533-8683 to schedule an appointment. Qualifying items shall be deemed filed with the qualifying department upon the date of actual receipt by the qualifying department. To be deemed timely filed with the qualifying department, qualifying items must be physically present at the department's location by the close of the qualifying period. The U.S. Postal Service's designated hours for mail pick-up do not correspond to the qualifying deadline, nor do they deliver directly to the qualifying department. To ensure that the items are timely received, it is advisable for candidates or someone on their behalf to hand-deliver directly to the qualifying department or use a delivery service that timely delivers directly to the qualifying department. Qualifying Office Qualifying Office Below is the name, location, and address of the Lee County Elections qualifying office for Lee County candidates: Lee County Supervisor of Elections Melvin Morgan Constitutional Complex 2480 Thompson Street, 3rd Floor Fort Myers, FL 33901 Email: [email protected] Lee County Candidate Resources and Publications Lee County Candidate Resources and Publications Publication dates reflect the current version of the publication and will be updated as revised versions become available. Candidate and Campaign Treasurer's Handbook (PDF) (July 2026) Candidate and Campaign Treasurer's Reporting Calendar (PDF) (2026) Candidate Petition Handbook (PDF) (May 2026) Florida Statutes Chapter 104 (PDF) (2025 Election Code Violations) Florida Statutes Chapter 105 (PDF) (2025 Non-partisan Elections) Florida Statutes Chapter 106 (PDF) (2025 Campaign Finance) Filing Fees and Salaries (PDF) Campaign Fundraiser Prohibitions on Lotteries and Games of Chance (PDF) Campaign Signage and Code Enforcement (PDF) Dates to Remember (PDF) (2026) Election Laws of Florida (PDF) (September 2025) Florida Department of Transportation (PDF) Foreign Nationals Brochure (PDF) Voter Data Requests and Data Price List (PDF) Residency Requirements for Candidates (PDF) Resign to Run Law (PDF) Sunshine State One Call Florida (Official Website of "Call Before You Dig!") Important Notice About Digging for Campaign Signage. Florida Law requires that you call 811 before you do any digging, and includes digging for campaign sign placement. Striking a buried utility line, such as cable, communication, electric, gas, irrigation, etc., could cause a service outage, personal injury, or property damage. Failure to comply with Florida Law could result in a significant fine of $500 up to $50,000 plus repair costs. Please be aware that a fine incurred, as a result of failure to comply, must be paid from the personal funds of the individual fined, and is not considered a campaign expense. Under Florida law, s. 668.6076, F.S., e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.