Candidate Filing Information

2026 Election Candidate Filing Information

The candidate filing period to run for office in 2026 started Monday, December 1, at noon and ends on Friday, December 19, at noon. 

View Offices Available, Filing Fees, and Schedules

View List of Candidates Filed

The list of candidates filed is updated throughout the day and finalized each day by 5:30 p.m. For help interpreting the report of candidates filed, please email us at guilfordelections@guilfordcountync.gov.

Requirements to Disclose Felony Conviction Information

Any individual filing for office that has a previous felony conviction is required to complete and submit a Felony Disclosure Form at the time of filing. This form is for candidates not running for sheriff.

Candidates for Offices Other Than Sheriff

Other than the sheriff, a candidate's prior felony conviction does not preclude holding elective office if the candidate's rights of citizenship have been restored. A felony conviction need not be disclosed if the conviction was dismissed as a result of reversal on appeal or resulted in a pardon of innocence or expungement.

Candidates for the Office of Sheriff

Under NC G.S. 163-106(f) any candidate who is interested in filing for sheriff must obtain a valid Felony Disclosure Statement from the NC Sheriff's Training & Standards Division to file along with their notice of candidacy form. Before filing, candidates must complete several forms and a disclosure statement verifying that they have had no prior felony convictions or expungements. A person who receives an unconditional pardon of innocence for their felony may file for the office of sheriff or be appointed to that office. Otherwise, candidates for sheriff may not file for candidacy if they have been convicted of a felony, even if the felony was expunged.

North Carolina Session Law 2021-107 became effective October 1, 2021, and requires any candidate for Election to the Office of Sheriff or appointee to the Office of Sheriff must disclose any and all felony convictions, including any expunged felony convictions. Any individual filing notice of candidacy must provide a Disclosure Statement prepared by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission.

In order to obtain a disclosure statement, potential candidates for election to the Office of Sheriff must submit the following three (3) documents to the Sheriffs’ Standards Division:

  • Instructions for a Disclosure Statement
  • A notarized "Qualifications for Sheriff/Expunction" form
  • A "Law Enforcement Application for Verification of Expunction" (AOC-CR-280)
  • A full set of fingerprints

Disclosure statements are valid for a period of 90 days from the date of issuance to the date of filing with the County Board of Elections.

The required forms and additional information can be reviewed at Sheriffs' Training & Standards Divisions | NCDOJ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tab/Accordion Items

Monday, December 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. — Friday, December 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
**Deadline to withdraw Notice of Candidacy — December 16, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.**
 

  • Greensboro: 301 W Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401
  • High Point (by appointment): 325 E Russell Ave, High Point, NC 27260
  • Filing for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Superior Court Judge, District Court Judge, or District attorney, go to the following state location:

  • Must be a registered voter in the county
  • Must be registered with a North Carolina-recognized political party for at least 90 days prior to filing the notice of candidacy
  • Must be at least 21 years old on Election Day
    • Exception 1: at least 25 years of age for N.C. State Senate
    • Exception 2: at least 30 years of age for U.S. Senate
  • Age limit for service as justice or judge: may not continue in office beyond the last day of the month in which they attain their 72nd birthday
  • Where there is a district, must also reside within that district
  • Residency Requirements for State Congress:
    • N.C. State Senate—2 years in state, 1 year in district
    • N.C. State House—1 year in district
  • See below for information on requirements to disclose felony convictions

  • A valid NC drivers license or photo ID for notarization
  • Payment method for filing fee (check or money order)
    • NO starter or counter checks
    • NO two party checks
    • NO post or predated checks
    • NO out of state checks
  • Any completed campaign finance documents.
     

All candidates are required to open a candidate committee. A candidate committee is required to register within 10 days of:

  1. Receiving money or anything of value in support of the campaign; or
  2. Spending money in support of the campaign; or
  3. Giving consent for anyone else to receive money or spend money for the purpose of bringing about that individual’s nomination or election for office; or
  4. Filing a notice of candidacy.

Visit Campaign Finance Information for more details.

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