Election law changes? Our legislation tracker’s got you.Check it out!

Ballot access requirements for political parties in Florida

From Ballotpedia
Public Policy Logo-one line.pngin Florida


Election Policy VNT Logo.png

Ballot access for major and minor party candidates
Ballot access for presidential candidates
Select a state below to learn more about ballot access requirements for candidates in that state.

Ballot access requirements for political parties in the United States
List of political parties in the United States
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
Note: This article is not intended to serve as a guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact theirstate election agencies for further information.

Although there are hundreds of political parties in the United States, only certain parties qualify to have the names of their candidates for office printed on election ballots. In order to qualify for ballot placement, a party must meet certain requirements that vary from state to state. For example, in some states, a party may have to file a petition in order to qualify for ballot placement. In other states, a party must organize around a candidate for a specific office; that candidate must, in turn, win a percentage of the vote in order for the party to be granted ballot status. In still other states, an aspiring political party must register a certain number of voters.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • As of January 2025, Florida officially recognized 16 political parties. See thetable below for further details.
  • In some states, a candidate may choose to have a label other than that of an officially recognized party appear alongside his or her name on the ballot. Such labels are calledpolitical party designations. Florida does not allow candidates to use political party designations.
  • To learn more about ballot access requirements for political candidates in Florida,click here.

    DocumentIcon.jpgSeestate election laws

    Process for a political party to obtain ballot status

    Seal of Florida

    DocumentIcon.jpgSee statutes:Chapter 103 of the Florida Statutes

    Minor party definition

    Section 97.021, Florida Statutes, defines aminor political party as a group which, after having filed certain documents with the Florida Division of Elections, does not have registration equaling at least 5% of the state's total registered voters by January 1 before a primary election.[1] Section 103.095, Florida Statutes, states:[2]

    Any group of citizens organized for the general purposes of electing to office qualified persons and determining public issues under the democratic processes of the United States may become a minor political party of this state by filing with the department a certificate showing the name of the organization, the names and addresses of its current officers, including the members of its executive committee, accompanied by a completed uniform statewide voter registration application as specified in s. 97.052 for each of its current officers and members of its executive committee which reflect their affiliation with the proposed minor political party, and a copy of its constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations.[3]

    The members of the executive committee of the minor party must elect a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. Each of these positions must be filled by a member of the minor party.[2]

    Minor party ballot access

    According to the Florida Division of Elections:[4]

    If more than one candidate from the minor political party has qualified for the same office, the names of the candidates will appear on the ballot and only registered members of the minor political party will be permitted to vote for the candidates. If only one candidate has qualified for the office, the candidate’s name will not be on the primary ballot, but will appear on the general election ballot.[3]

    Major party definition

    If at least 5% of the state's total registered voters affiliate as members of a minor party by January 1 preceding a primary election, the party is considered a major political party.[1][5]


    Political parties

    See also:List of political parties in the United States

    As of January 2025, the state officially recognized 16 political parties.[6]

    PartyWebsite linkBylaws/platform link
    Democratic Party of FloridaLink
    Republican Party of FloridaLinkParty mission statement
    American Solidarity Party of FloridaLinkParty mission statement
    Boricua PartyLink
    Coalition with a Purpose Party of Florida
    Conservative Party of FloridaLink
    Constitution Party of FloridaLink
    Ecology Party of FloridaLink
    Florida Forward PartyLink
    Florida Natural Law Party
    Green Party of FloridaLinkParty bylaws
    Jeffersonian Party of FloridaLinkParty platform
    Independent Party of FloridaLink
    Libertarian Party of FloridaLinkParty platform
    Party for Socialism and Liberation of FloridaLink
    Reform Party of FloridaLinkParty principles

    Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia

    • Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
      Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
      Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker provides daily updates on legislative activity related to election policy in all 50 states.

      Our election policy experts translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries. And because it's from Ballotpedia, our legislation tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan.
    • Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
      Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
      Ballotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state.

      These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.
    • Subscribe to The Ballot Bulletin

      Subscribe to The Ballot Bulletin
      The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy.

      The newsletter tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker.


    See also

    Influencer Project Badge.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    v  e
    Election policy
    Voting policyElection Policy on Ballotpedia Logo.png
    Ballot access for state and federal candidates
    Ballot access for political parties
    Ballot access for presidential candidates
    Redistricting
    Flag of Florida
    v  e
    State ofFlorida
    Tallahassee (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy

    Ballotpedia
    Editorial Content
    Josh Altic, Director of ContentDaniel Anderson, Associate Director of Elections & DataCory Eucalitto, Associate Director of FeaturesRyan Byrne, Managing Editor of Ballot MeasuresMandy McConnell, Managing Editor of NewsDoug Kronaizl, Managing Editor of Local ExpansionAbbey Smith, Managing Editor of ElectionsJanie Valentine, Managing Editor of LawJoel Williams, Managing Editor of EventsJoseph Greaney, Managing Editor of PolicyAndrew BahlJaclyn BeranMarielle BrickerJoseph BrusgardEmma BurlingameKelly CoyleJon DunnVictoria EdwardsThomas EllisNicole FisherThomas GrobbenBrianna HoseaMolly KehoeTyler KingGlorie MartinezNorm Leahy, Senior EditorNathan MaxwellJimmy McAllisterBrandon McCauleyAndrew McNairEllie MikusMackenzie MurphyKaley PlatekSamantha PostAdam PowellAnnelise ReinwaldSpencer RichardsonVictoria RoseBriana RyanMyj SaintylMaddy SaluckaEmma SoukupAlexis ThackerMina VogelSamuel WonacottTrenton Woodcox