In this special episode, we take a look at the different rules for getting on the ballot for the House of Representatives in all fifty States, and take a look at how some States made it way too hard for Independents to qualify. Executive Producer: Nickolas Zacharias  Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Ballot Access Information Alabama Signatures Needed: 3% of the total votes for Governor in the last election in the district 2016 Range: 4,109 - 6,174 Fees: None Filing Deadline: March 1, 2016 at 5pm Alaska At-large state Signatures Needed: 2,854 registered voters Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 15, 2016 (the day before the Primary Election) Arizona Signatures Needed: 3% of qualified electors in the district 2014 Range: 2,784 - 4,381 Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 1, 2016 Arkansas Signatures Needed: 3% of number of people who voted for Governor in 2014, capped at 2,000 Fees: None Filing Deadline: November 9, 2015 California As of the 2012 election, California has had a top-two primary system; in order to get on the General Election ballot, you have to be one of the top two vote getters in the Primary election. [caption id="attachment_1992" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Top 2 Primary clearly benefits Republicans and Democrats[/caption]   To appear on the Primary Election ballot, a candidate needs to either collect signatures or pay a fee, or a combination of the two. Signatures Needed: 3,000 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: February 25, 2016 Colorado Signatures Needed: 30% of the number of votes cast in the last election, capped at 1,000 Fees: None Filing Deadline: July 14, 2016 Connecticut Signatures Needed: 1% of the votes cast in the district for the House of Representatives in the last election, capped at 7,500 Fees: None Filing Deadline: Either August 10, 2016 or September 7, 2016 Delaware At-large state Signatures Needed: 1% of the total registered voters in the district as of December 31, 2015 Fees: None Filing Deadline: September 1 at 4:30pm Florida Signatures Needed: 1% of registered voters from anywhere in the state 2016 Range: 3,512 - 5,072 Fees: 4% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $6,960 Candidates can file an undue burden oath and get the fee waived if they don't pay anyone to collect signatures or collect campaign contributions. Filing Deadline: June 24, 2016 Georgia Signatures Needed: 5% of the total registered voters from the district who participated in either of the last two elections cycles Signature range unavailable because the Georgia Secretary of State's office does not provide the necessary voter registration statistics online and would not provide the signature requirements by phone or email. Fees: $5,220 Can be waived if the candidate turns in a "pauper's affidavit" Filing Deadline: July 12, 2016 Hawaii In Hawaii, candidates, regardless of party, need to run in the Primary Election and receive at least 10% of the votes cast for the office or receive a vote equal to or greater than the lowest vote received by the partisan candidate who was nominated. Signatures Needed: 25 registered voters Fees: $75 Filing Deadline: June 7, 2016 Idaho Signatures Needed: 500 registered voters Fees: None Filing Deadline: March 11, 2016 Illinois Signatures Needed: 5% of the total voter turnout in the district for the last General Election Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 27, 2016 Indiana Signatures Needed: 2% of people in the district who voted for Secretary of State in the last election Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 30, 2016 Iowa Signatures Needed: 375 people in the district (do not