Running For Office

2026 Election Schedule:
March 18 (Wed): Village Elections - Chatham, Kinderhook, Philmont, Valatie
May 20 (Tues): School Elections - Voting hours vary; please check with your school district
June 23 (Tues): Primary Election - Polls open 6am-9pm; Early Voting June 13 - June 21
Nov 3 (Tues): General Election - Polls open 6am-9pm; Early Voting October 24 - November 1

2026 ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION (click here)

Please note the following does not include all deadlines. Refer to the current political calendar for comprehensive date information.

Important 2026 Petition Dates and Deadlines

DESIGNATING PETITIONS FOR PRIMARY:

• First day to circulate designating petitions: February 24, 2026

• Filing of designating petitions: March 30 - April 6, 2026

• Last day to authorize, accept, or decline designations: April 10, 2026

• Last day to fill a vacancy after a declination: April 14, 2026

• Last day to file a substitution after a declination: April 20, 2026

OPPORTUNITY TO BALLOT PETITIONS (OTB):

• First day to circulate OTB petitions: March 21, 2026

• Last day to file OTB petitions: April 9, 2026

•  Last day to file an OTB petition if there has been a declination by a designated candidate: April 16, 2026

Designating (Party) and Opportunity to Ballot (OTB) Petition signature requirements:

• MINIMUM SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS COMING SOON (shortly after 2/20/2026  - statewide)

• Sample Designating Petition

• Sample Opportunity to Ballot Petition (OTB)

The minimum signature requirements for 2026 Designating Petitions will be posted on February 20, 2026, once we have the official enrollment numbers to calculate the information.

INDEPENDENT NOMINATING PETITIONS:

• First day to circulate independent nominating petitions: April 14, 2026

• Filing of independent nominating petitions: May 19 - May 26, 2026

• Last day to accept or decline a nomination: May 29, 2026

•  Last day to fill a vacancy after a declination: June 1, 2026

• Last day to decline after acceptance if nominee loses party primary: June 26, 2026

Independent Nominating Petition signature requirements:

• Minimum signature requirement - 5% of the votes cast for governor in the 2022 General Election

• Sample Independent Nominating Petition

SAMPLE PETITION DOCUMENTS:

• Sample Cover Sheet

• Sample Certificate of Acceptance (for candidates)

• Sample Certificate of Declination

• Sample Certificate of Substitution

• Sample Certificate of Authorization

• Sample General  
  
  

Candidates planning to carry petitions can obtain up-to-date required documentation from the State Board of Elections website  

Important 2026 Caucus Dates and Deadlines

CAUCUS INFORMATION:

• First day to hold a town caucus: February 24, 2026

•  Last day to file caucus nominating certificates: July 23, 2026

Please call us at 518-828-3115 or email elections@columbiacountyny.gov for sample documentation 

Campaign Finance

Effective January 1st, 2020 all candidates must file directly with the New York State Board of Elections

Contribution limits for all 2025 local elections

Please use the links to the left to explore campaign finance information on the New York State Board of Elections website. The NYSBOE Campaign Finance Team can be reached at (800) 458-3453 / (518) 474-8200

NYS Public Campaign Finance Program is now open to all candidates running for State Legislative or Statewide offices