Information for Candidates

Qualifying Information

For information on qualifying, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 352-334-5015 or clerks@gainesvillefl.gov. Qualifying for the 2022 city election is from noon Monday, June 13, 2022 - noon Friday, June 17, 2022.

How do I become a candidate?

1. Appoint a campaign treasurer and designate a campaign depository. Any eligible person may become a candidate by filing an appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of depository (DS-DE9) form with our office. A person may not collect or spend money on a campaign until this has been done. This form states which office you are running for, which bank you are using for your campaign account, and who is serving as your campaign treasurer. This form may be filed at any time before the last date of qualifying, as early as the candidate wants to begin campaigning. The filing of this form triggers the requirement to file quarterly treasurer’s reports until the period following qualifying. You may not collect or spend money on your campaign until you have filed this form.

2. File your statement of candidate. Within 10 (ten) days of filing your appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign depository, each candidate must file a form stating they have been provided access to read and understand the requirements of Chapter 106 of the Florida Statutes and will be able to run their campaign in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.

3. Qualify. A candidate becomes qualified by filing the necessary qualifying papers as provided in Florida Statutes with the qualifying officer at any time after noon of the 50th day prior to the election, but no later than noon of the 46th day prior to the election. During this time you will come to our office and file a Statement of Financial Interests Form (form 1), notarized Loyalty Oath/Oath of Candidate, Affidavit of Residency and pay the qualifying fee or file a waiver (Affidavit of Undue Burden), in addition to your Appointment of Campaign Treasurer/Designation of Depository and Statement of Candidate.

Qualifying Fee

The qualifying fee for running for the At-Large seat or a City Commission District seat is 1% of the salary of the office as of the July 1 immediately preceding the qualifying period.

State law does not provide for signature petitions in municipal elections. The City of Gainesville allows the fee to be waived if the candidate files an Oath of Undue Burden sworn before the Qualifying Officer at the time of qualifying.

Questions? If you have any questions or need additional information related to becoming a candidate, please contact City Clerk, Omichele D. Gainey at 352-334-5015.

2022 Election Information

2022 City Election Dates

Gainesville City Election: August 23, 2022 

Run-Off Election (if needed): November 8, 2022    

2022 Qualifying Dates

Noon on Monday, June 13, 2022 – noon on Friday, June 17, 2022

2022 Qualifying Fee

Mayor $446.96

Commissioner  $351.18

Offices on Ballot

• At-Large Commission Seat
• District 2 Commission Seat
• District 3 Commission Seat
• District 4 Commission Seat

Requirements

Gainesville Commission Mayor At-Large The At-Large Commissioner is elected by the electors of the City of Gainesville to serve a 4 -year term.   Each candidate for an At-Large seat must be a qualified voter who is a resident of the City for a period of not less than 6 months prior to the date the person qualifies to run for office. The person elected to an At-Large seat shall continuously reside in the City during the term of office. The last dates to have moved into the City District to meet the residency requirement for the 2021 election would be between December 13, 2021 and December 17, 2021 depending on which day the candidate qualifies in 2021.

Gainesville City Commission - District 2 If you are running for the District 2 Seat, you will be elected by the electors of District 2 only. You will be elected to serve a 4 -year term. Each candidate for a District seat must be a qualified voter who is a resident of the District from which they seek to be elected for a period of not less than 6 months prior to the date they qualify to run for office. The person elected Commissioner shall continuously reside in that same City District during the term of office. The last dates to have moved into the City District to meet the residency requirement for the 2021 election would be between December 13, 2021 and December 17, 2021 depending on which day the candidate qualifies in 2021.

Gainesville City Commission - District 3 If you are running for the District 3 Seat, you will be elected by the electors of District 3 only. You will be elected to serve a 4 -year term. Each candidate for a District seat must be a qualified voter who is a resident of the District from which they seek to be elected for a period of not less than 6 months prior to the date they qualify to run for office. The person elected Commissioner shall continuously reside in that same City District during the term of office. The last dates to have moved into the City District to meet the residency requirement for the 2021 election would be between December 13, 2021 and December 17, 2021 depending on which day the candidate qualifies in 2021.

Gainesville City Commission - District 4 If you are running for the District 4 Seat, you will be elected by the electors of District 4 only. You will be elected to serve a 4 -year term. Each candidate for a District seat must be a qualified voter who is a resident of the District from which they seek to be elected for a period of not less than 6 months prior to the date they qualify to run for office. The person elected Commissioner shall continuously reside in that same City District during the term of office. The last dates to have moved into the City District to meet the residency requirement for the 2021 election would be between December 13, 2021 and December 17, 2021 depending on which day the candidate qualifies in 2021.