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Filing for Office
What to Expect When Filing for Office
- All candidates must meet the general eligibility requirements for the office they seek. Please review these requirements on the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) website: General Candidate Requirements | NCSBE
- A Board of Elections staff member will assist each candidate in verifying eligibility to file.
- Candidates must complete and notarize a Notice of Candidacy (photo ID is required for notarization).
- Candidates must pay a filing fee.
- Filing fees of $50 or less may be paid in cash (exact change required).
- Filing fees over $50 must be paid by check or money order. Business or corporate checks and credit cards are not accepted.
- Candidates will have an opportunity to meet with a staff member to review campaign finance requirements, including how to establish a candidate campaign committee.
- Each candidate will receive an informational packet containing materials relevant to running for office.
2026 Primary Election Candidate Filing Information
- The 2026 Primary Election is March 3, 2026. The 2026 General Election is November 3, 2026.
- Before filing, candidates should review the Filing for Candidacy page on the NCSBE website for information such as candidacy requirements, filing fees and more. Candidates may also review the NCSBE 2025-26 Statewide Candidate Guide (PDF).
- No person may file as a candidate in a party primary unless they have been affiliated with that party for at least 90 days as of the date they file their notice of candidacy. A person registered as “Unaffiliated” is not eligible to file as a candidate in a party primary election (N.C.G.S. § 163-106.1).
Filing Period
- Opens: Noon on Monday, December 1, 2025
- Closes: Noon on Friday, December 19, 2025
Candidacy Withdrawal Deadline
- Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM
- A candidate may withdraw their Notice of Candidacy at any time before the close of business prior to the deadline and will receive a refund of the filing fee.
Filing Fees
- The filing fee is 1% of the base annual salary for the office sought, as required by N.C.G.S. § 163-107.
- Filing fees over $50 must be paid by check or money order. Business or corporate checks and credit cards are not accepted.
- Any qualified voter seeking nomination in the primary of their affiliated political party may, instead of paying the required filing fee for the office they seek, submit a written petition to the appropriate board of elections requesting to be placed on the ballot for that specific office (N.C.G.S. § 163-107.1).
- Find requirements and deadlines on the NCSBE website: Petitions in Lieu of Filing Fee | NCSBE
| Office | Annual Salary | Filing Fee | Where to file? |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC House of Representatives (Districts 17 and 19) | $13,951 | $139.51 | County |
| NC State Senate (District 8) | $13,951 | $139.51 | County |
| Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court | $135,248 | $1,352.48 | County |
| Brunswick County Sheriff* | $177,401 | $1,774.01 | County |
| Brunswick County Board of Commissioners (Districts 1 and 2) | $34,747 | $347.47 | County |
| Brunswick County Board of Education (Districts 3 and 5) | $15,720 | $157.20 | County |
| US Senate | $174,000 | $1,740 | State |
| US House of Representatives | $174,000 | $1,740 | State |
| Associate Justice, State Supreme Court (Seat 1) | $197,802 | $1,978.02 | State |
| Judges, State Court of Appeals (Seats 1, 2, and 3) | $189,621 | $1,896.21 | State |
| Judges, Superior Court (several districts/seats) | $169,125 | $1,691.25 | State |
| Judges, District Court (several districts/seats) | $162,620 | $1,626.20 | State |
| District Attorneys (several districts) | $167,337 | $1,673.37 | State |
*Candidates for sheriff:
Effective 2021, individuals may not file for sheriff if they have been convicted of a felony, even if that conviction was later expunged (N.C.G.S. § 162-2). Before filing, candidates must complete several forms and a disclosure statement confirming they have no prior felony convictions or expungements. Forms and additional information are available from the Sheriffs' Training & Standards Division | NCDOJ. A person who has received an unconditional pardon of innocence for a felony may file for or be appointed to the office of sheriff. Prospective candidates should begin completing the required forms at least one month before filing.
2026 Soil & Water Candidate Filing
Filing Period
- Opens: Noon on Monday, June 8, 2026
- Closes: 5:00 PM on Monday, July 6, 2026
Candidate Withdrawal Deadline
- Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Filing Fees
- Filing fees of $50 or less may be paid in cash (exact change required).
| Office | Filing Fee | Where to file? |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor | $5 | County |