2a) a candidate must obtain the number of signatures of voters in the geographical area represented by the office sought equal to at least 1 percent of the total number of registered voters of that geographical area, as shown by the compilation by the department for the immediately preceding general election. Signatures may not be obtained until the candidate has filed the appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign depository pursuant to s. 106.021 and are valid only for the qualifying period immediately following such filings.

3) Each petition must be submitted before noon of the 28th day preceding the first day of the qualifying period for the office sought to the supervisor of elections of the county in which such petition was circulated. Each supervisor shall check the signatures on the petitions to verify their status as voters in the county, district, or other geographical area represented by the office sought. No later than the 7th day before the first day of the qualifying period, the supervisor shall certify the number of valid signatures.

As noted on the EscambiaVotes website, to qualify by petition for School Board or County Commissioner in District 5, 458 petition cards are needed. For ECUA the number is 25. For Countywide office the number is 2241.

In lieu of petition method, a candidate can remit a payment totaling 6% of annual salary for “partisan” offices such as County Commissioner ($5564.28) or Sheriff ($11,886.42);

For non-partisan offices such as School Board the fee is 4% or $1895.44.

ECUA office seekers have a flat $25 fee in lieu of petitions.