In Virginia, a person seeking nomination for statewide office through a primary must file various qualifying documents with the State Board of Elections, including a declaration of candidacy accompanied by a petition signed by a specified number of qualified voters; primary candidates for other offices file directly with the party chair. The exact number of signatures needed depends on the office sought, though statewide candidates must gather at least 10,000 signatures, including 400 from each of Virginia’s congressional districts. Independent candidates for statewide or congressional office file qualifying documents, including petitions, with the State Board; independents seeking other offices file with the general registrar where they reside. If the State Board of Elections or an electoral board rules that a petition does not meet the minimum signature requirements, the candidate can appeal that determination with the State Board or electoral board within five days. The State Board or electoral board must conduct a hearing on the the appeal within five days, and its decision is final and not subject to judicial review.