Mr. Mansour's List: Elections

• Before deciding to run for federal office, an individual may first want to "test the waters" — explore the feasibility of becoming a candidate. For example, the individual may want to travel around the state to see if there is sufficient support for a possible Senate candidacy
• An individual becomes a candidate for federal office (and thus triggers registration and reporting obligations under the Act) when his or her campaign exceeds $5,000 in either contributions or expenditures. The threshold is reached when any one of the circumstances described below occurs
• Within 15 days after an individual becomes a candidate, he or she must designate a principal campaign committee as the principal committee to receive contributions and make expenditures on the candidate’s behalf

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• Ensure you meet the basic qualifications to serve as president of the United States
• Set up your presidential exploratory committee
• ou can raise money to pay for opinion polls (to test name recognition, for example), travel to key states and open an exploratory committee office
• Register to become an official candidate
• Fill out the "Statement of Candidacy," which registers your name and address and the name and address of the campaign committee. Additionally, fill out the "Statement of Organization," the form that registers your campaign with the Federal Elections Commission
• Gain ballot access in the 50 states. Each state has its own rules for being listed as a presidential candidate in the primary and general elections
• For example, Massachusetts candidates can get on the primary election ballot by filing 2,500 signatures with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The secretary can also place candidates on the ballot who are generally recognized by the public
• Campaign. In order to be a successful candidate, you must get your message out to voters
• Prepare for debates
• Work with your campaign staff to ensure that you understand the wide array of domestic and foreign policies expected of candidates

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