A candidate is defined in 97.021(4), Florida Statutes, as any person to whom any one or more of the following applies:

• Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of a petitioning process;
• Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;
• Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives his or her consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with a view to bringing about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;
• Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository; or
• Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate's oath as required by law. However, this definition does not include any candidate for a political party executive committee.

• Anyone meeting residency and registration requirements in accordance with Florida Statutes; Judicial candidates must be a member of the Florida Bar for the preceding five years;
• Anyone who is not a registered member of another political party other than the one under which they are filing/qualifying;
• Anyone who has not been a candidate for nomination for any other political party for a period of six (6) months preceding the general election. The 2010 deadline is May 2, 2010.

• County Commission candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of being elected to office;
• School Board candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of qualifying;
• County Judges must reside in the county at the time of assuming office;
• County Constitutional Officers must reside in the county at the time of assuming office;
• If required, one's current position or office must be resigned under the "resign to run" law by April 16, 2010 (Judicial) or June 4, 2010 (County/Special District) (99.012(3), Florida Statutes).

• Candidacy may be announced at any time;
• Must file Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9) with the Supervisor of Elections office before any contributions are accepted or expenditures are made (106.021, Florida Statutes);
• Must file a Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84) within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes).

* Excluding Special District candidates who do not intend to collect or expend campaign funds.

Yes, permitted under 106.021(1)(a), Florida Statutes, you may change your mind and run for a different office after becoming a candidate, providing that you:

• File a new Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, designating the new office;
• Within 15 days of the new appointment, notify, in writing, all contributors and offer to return their contributions pro rata. The Request for Return of Contributions (Form DS-DE 86) may be used for such purpose;
• If, after 30 days from this notice, the contributor has not requested his contribution to be returned, you may use the funds in the campaign for your newly designated office.

• County Commissioner, District 2
• County Commissioner, District 4
• School Board Member, District 1
• School Board Member, District 3
• School Board Member, District 5
• County Court Judge, Group 1
• County Court Judge, Group 2
• Soil & Water Conservation District Group 1
• Soil & Water Conservation District Group 2
• Soil & Water Conservation District Group 3
• Soil & Water Conservation District Group 5
• Water Authority At Large
• Water Authority District 2
• Water Authority District 4
• North Lake Co. Hospital Bd. of Trustees (NE One Seat)
• North Lake Co. Hospital Bd. of Trustees (NW Two Seats)

• Primary Election: August 24, 2010 - Books Close July 26, 2010
• General Election: November 2, 2010 – Books Close October 4, 2010

• Federal , Judicial , State Attorney & Public Defender Candidates (including write-ins)
  • Noon, April 26, 2010 – Noon, April 30, 2010
    
    
• Statewide, Multi-county (except State Attorney & Public Defender), County, and Special District Candidates (including write-ins)
  • Noon, June 14, 2010 – Noon, June 18, 2010