The $5,000 threshold
Under federal rules, the trigger is money. Keep separate running totals of what you raise and what you spend. When either one passes the threshold, you are a candidate.
You become a federal candidate when you raise more than $5,000 in contributions or spend more than $5,000. Money raised or spent by people you have authorized counts too.
Source: 11 CFR 100.3, Candidate (defined) checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The individual has received contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000 or made expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000.
If someone else raises or spends more than $5,000 for you without your permission, the FEC may notify you. You become a candidate unless you disavow that activity in a letter to the FEC within 30 days.
Source: FEC, House, Senate and presidential candidate registration checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The individual fails to disavow unauthorized campaign activity by writing a letter to the FEC within 30 days after being notified by the agency
What to file, in order
There are two forms, each with its own deadline. The second deadline starts when the first form is filed.
- Within 15 days of becoming a candidate, file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2). It names your principal campaign committee.
- Within 10 days of being named, the committee files a Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1). This registers the committee with the FEC.
- Report any later change to Form 1, such as a new treasurer, address or bank, within 10 days.
Designate your principal campaign committee within 15 days of becoming a candidate.
Source: 11 CFR 101.1, Candidate designations checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
Within 15 days after becoming a candidate under 11 CFR 100.3, each candidate, other than a nominee for the office of Vice President, shall designate in writing,
The committee must register by filing a Statement of Organization (Form 1) within 10 days after it is designated.
Source: FEC, House, Senate and presidential candidate committee registration checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
Within 10 days after it has been designated by the candidate, the principal campaign committee must register with the FEC by filing a Statement of Organization
Changes to the Statement of Organization must be reported within 10 days.
Source: FEC, House, Senate and presidential candidate committee registration checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
A committee must report any change or correction of information contained in its Statement of Organization within 10 days after the change.
Testing the waters
Before you decide, you can spend money finding out whether a run makes sense. Polls, phone calls and travel are the usual examples. That money does not count as a contribution yet. Keep records of it anyway, because if you run, it goes on your first report.
Money received only to decide whether to run is not a contribution. If you become a candidate, it is reported on your committee's first report.
Source: 11 CFR 100.72, Testing the waters checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
Funds received solely for the purpose of determining whether an individual should become a candidate are not contributions.
Testing the waters ends when you act like a candidate: for example, calling yourself a candidate for a particular office.
Source: 11 CFR 100.72, Testing the waters checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The individual makes or authorizes written or oral statements that refer to him or her as a candidate for a particular office.
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