Considering a Run for Office?

Individuals interested in running for office in Chatham County must follow specific filing requirements and campaign finance rules set by the State Board of Elections. The FAQs below cover the most common questions, including how to open a committee, when to file, and what training is required.

 For information specific to the current election year, visit the Current Election Information page.

Running for office in Chatham County requires several important steps to ensure compliance with North Carolina election laws. Use the checklist below to get started:

• Review Filing Requirements
  Visit the NCSBE Filing for Candidacy page to learn about general qualifications, filing periods, and procedures for state and local offices.


• Understand Campaign Finance Rules
  The Campaign Finance Manual provides detailed guidance on forming a committee, tracking contributions, and reporting.


• Open a Campaign Committee
  A campaign finance committee must be opened within 10 days of raising or spending money for your campaign. Learn how at Candidate Committees.


• Download Reporting Software
  If total contributions, expenditures, or loans exceed $10,000 during the election cycle, electronic filing is required under North Carolina campaign finance law.
  The State Board provides free software to help candidates and treasurers file reports and perform calculations. Visit the Reporting Software page.


• Complete Treasurer Training
  Treasurers are required to complete compliance training within three months of appointment and once every four years. Training can be completed online or in person. Visit Treasurer Training to sign up.


• Know Your Reporting Schedule
  Stay on top of deadlines by reviewing the Campaign Finance Reporting Schedules.


• Follow Campaign Sign Regulations
  Be sure to comply with local and state regulations for political signage. Visit Campaign Sign Regulations for guidelines specific to Chatham County.


• Learn About Your District
  Use the NC Voter Lookup Tool to find your voter profile, confirm your district, and view a sample ballot if available.

Unless otherwise specified, all candidates must be:

• Registered to vote in North Carolina
• Qualified to vote in the election for the office sought
• At least 21 years old by the date of the election

To view office-specific qualifications, visit the General Candidate Requirements page.

Under state law, no person may file as a candidate in a party primary unless they have been affiliated with that party for at least 90 days prior to filing their notice of candidacy. Individuals registered as “unaffiliated” are not eligible to run in a party primary election.

A list of offices up for election in Chatham County is available on the Current Election & Upcoming Elections. This includes filing dates, filing fees, and details for each municipal office on the ballot.

 

Campaign finance compliance training is required for the treasurer of any political committee. This training is also the main way to understand what is permitted and prohibited in campaign finance.

All treasurers must complete training within three months of appointment and at least once every four years, even if the committee does not plan to raise or spend money.

Yes. Treasurer training is available online through the State Board of Elections.

Follow the link below and read the instructions to register for online or in-person sessions.

Visit Treasurer Training to sign up.

Campaign finance reporting deadlines vary based on the type of committee and the election year. The State Board of Elections provides a schedule that outlines when each report is due.

Visit the Campaign Finance Reporting Schedules page to view the current deadlines.

Yes, under NCGS 163-278.9(i), any committee that exceeds $10,000 in cumulative contributions, loans, or expenditures during an election cycle is required to file campaign finance reports electronically.

Electronic filing is also recommended for all committees, even if they do not meet the threshold.

Free e-filing software is available from the State Board of Elections and is compatible with Windows operating systems. Committees using other systems are not exempt from the e-filing requirement.

Committees involved in statewide contests, or making contributions or independent expenditures affecting statewide races, have a lower threshold of $5,000.

Visit the Campaign Finance Reporting Software page to download the software and view instructions.

 

Any person who has filed a notice of candidacy may withdraw it at any time before the close of business on the third business day prior to the end of the filing period for that office.

Note: Submitting a withdrawal removes the candidate’s name from the ballot. It does not close the campaign finance committee.

Political signs must comply with both state laws and local ordinances. Key resources include:

• Littering Statute
• Littering Statute Fact Sheet
• Sign Regulation Statute
• Siler City Signage Policy
• Pittsboro Signage Policy

Chatham County Signage Summary:

• Signs may not be placed in the right-of-way except as noted in G.S. 136-32.
• Signs are not allowed on utility poles or any highway signage.
• Signs cannot exceed 32 square feet in size.
• Signs larger than 2x3 feet generally require a legend that is at least 1/20 the height of the sign.
• Pittsboro requires a $50 deposit for political signage.
• Siler City allows sign placement starting 30 days before early voting.
• All signs must be removed within 10 days after the election.
• Most small yard signs do not require a legend.

Candidates are responsible for knowing and complying with these regulations when placing signs throughout Chatham County. For questions, contact the Chatham County Board of Elections at (919) 545-8500.

Complaints about signs placed in a state highway right-of-way should be reported to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Use the NCDOT online portal or call 1-877-368-4968 (1-877-DOT-4YOU).

Complaints about signage within a municipality should be directed to the local town or city government.

For concerns related to missing “Paid for by ___” disclosures on a political sign, contact the State Board of Elections. These requirements are outlined in G.S. § 163-278.39 and Rule 08 NCAC 21 .0501. Individuals can also submit the Campaign Finance Complaint Form.