Information for Candidates

November 7, 2023: General Election Contests

Historically, City Council and School Board contests are independent and non-partisan. Other contests are likely partisan but can have independent candidates.

  • Falls Church City Council, 3 open seats
  • Falls Church School Board, 3 open seats 
  • Virginia State Senate, 37th District
  • Virginia House of Delegates, 13th District
  • Commonwealth’s Attorney, shared with Arlington
  • Clerk of the Court, shared with Arlington

Want to run for office? Here’s what you need to do.

First decide if you’re running independently or want the nomination of a political party. 

Running independently? Read on! 

Ballot Access

Getting your name on the ballot.

Reminders

  • Every page of petitions must be notarized. Schedule an appointment with Voter Registrar’s Office in City Hall for notary services.
  • Don’t wait until June 20 to submit all petitions! Notarize petition pages as completed for verification and guidance on Ballot Access progress.
  • Tuesday, June 27: Official ballot list of candidates published.

Campaign Finance 

Accounting of raising and spending funds, materials, and services to advocate that people vote for you! 

  • Ongoing: Start now
  • Must file a Statement of Organization (SOO) within 10 days of any of the following:
    • Accepting a contribution (money, materials, or services) 
    • Spending any money of your own or others 
    • Paying a filing fee for a party nomination 
    • Filing a Candidate Statement of Qualification 
    • Designation of a Committee
    • Naming a committee treasurer (candidate can be own treasure)
    • Designation of a campaign depository

Helpful Links

Key Dates

Jan 1
All Candidates
Gathering of petitions begins: 125 valid, city registered voter signatures for City Council and School Board.
Jan 3
Political Party Candidate Nominees
Filing the certificate of candidate qualification and statement of economic interests only begins.
Jan 3
Independent Candidates
Filing ballot access documents with City Voter Registrar’s Office begins.
March 20 (Noon): Begin
Primary Candidates
File declaration of candidacy, petitions of qualified voter forms, and receipt showing payment of primary filing fee with appropriate party chairperson. Primary candidate pays 2% primary filing fee with treasurer's/director of finance's office of candidate's county or city of residence.
Deadline: April 5 
(5 p.m.)
Primary Candidates
File declaration of candidacy, petitions of qualified voter forms, and receipt showing payment of primary filing fee with appropriate party chairperson.
Deadline: April 11
Political Party Candidate Nominees
Certification of qualified primary candidates with date, time of filing, and minimum number of petition signatures were found for each. If only one member of the party qualifies, they’re designated as the party's nominee and no primary is needed.
April 12
Local Electoral Board/Elect
Ballot order drawings for simultaneous primary candidate filings if needed.
Deadline: June 20 (Primary Election)
Independent Candidates
File for an office for the November General Election Ballot.
August 11
Deadline for local referendum/bond issue.