Candidate
A candidate is a person seeking election to public office. Candidates may run in a primary, general election, special election, or runoff. Federal election law sets requirements for when a person becomes a candidate for campaign-finance purposes, while eligibility to hold an office is governed by the Constitution and applicable laws.
A candidate is a person seeking election to public office. Candidates may run in a primary, general election, special election, or runoff. Federal election law sets requirements for when a person becomes a candidate for campaign-finance purposes, while eligibility to hold an office is governed by the Constitution and applicable laws.
Example: Candidates seeking the presidency in the 2024 election filed campaign-finance paperwork and participated in the primary and general-election process.
Common misconception: Anyone who publicly discusses running for office automatically meets every legal definition of candidate. Election and campaign-finance rules may use specific thresholds and filing requirements.
Sources: https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/; https://www.usa.gov/voting