In the last few days, I’ve gotten messages from people who want to run for office—and from people who are already running—asking about petition signatures.
If you're just now asking how many you need, you probably shouldn’t be on the ballot. Deadlines don’t sneak up. This stuff isn’t a secret.
And if your consultant hasn’t told you what’s due by April 3, fire them. Seriously. There’s no reason to be this unprepared with just days left.
That said—if you’re serious about running and willing to catch up fast, here’s exactly what you need to know to meet Virginia’s petition signature requirements and stay on track.
What Are Petition Signatures in Virginia Elections?
Petition signatures are required to get on the ballot in Virginia. They are not votes. They're simply confirmation from registered voters in your district that you should be allowed to run.
You, your team, or your volunteers can collect them by:
Attending local political meetings
Visiting community events or fairs
Going door-to-door
Showing up in high-traffic public areas
Start with political events—people there are more likely to sign.
How Many Petition Signatures Do You Need in Virginia?
It depends on the office you’re running for:
1. Statewide Offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General)
10,000 valid signatures total
Must include at least 400 from each of Virginia’s congressional districts
Start date: January 1, 2025
Deadlines:
Primary candidates: April 3, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.
Independent/non-primary candidates: June 17, 2025, by 7:00 p.m.
2. Virginia House of Delegates
125 valid signatures from registered voters in your district
Same start date and deadlines as above
3. Local and Constitutional Offices (e.g. School Board, Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue)
Typically 125 valid signatures from voters in your locality
Smaller localities may have different rules—check with the Virginia Department of Elections
Same deadlines
Important Deadlines for Virginia Elections in 2025
Primary Election: June 17, 2025
General Election: November 4, 2025
Petition Deadline (Primary): April 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Petition Deadline (Independent/Non-Primary): June 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
How Many Signatures Should You Actually Collect?
Always collect at least 20% more than the required number.
Why? Some signatures will be invalid—wrong district, unregistered voter, duplicate, missing info. You need a buffer.
Example: If you need 125 signatures, aim for 150–160. If you need 10,000, aim for 12,000.
Want to Get on the Ballot in Virginia? Plan Ahead.
Collecting petition signatures is a required part of running for office in Virginia. If you want to get on the ballot, you need to understand:
How many signatures you need
Where to collect them
What deadlines apply to your race
Official Resources to Help You Run
Virginia’s Department of Elections offers candidate guides (called “Candidate Bulletins”) with everything you need:
Bookmark them. Read them. Use them.
Final Reminder: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
If you’re reading this and the deadline is days away, act now.
Know your number
Double-check your district
Get help if you need it
Running for office in Virginia starts with getting on the ballot. And that starts with petition signatures.
Don’t want to be in this position again?
Reach out to me and my team at Assembly Strategies. We’ll build a campaign plan that keeps you ahead of deadlines, on message, and fully prepared to run—and win.