Where can I find official candidate filings, endorsement lists, and up-to-date results for the December 2, 2025 special election?
Executive summary
For official candidate filings look first to the relevant state or county election office pages (filing periods and procedures vary by state) and the Federal Election Commission for federal committees (see FEC filing calendar and special-general dates) [1] [2]. For endorsement lists use party and interest-group pages plus compiled trackers like Ballotpedia and local editorial boards; Ballotpedia lists the Dec. 2 Tennessee 7th special election and also maintains endorsement indexes [3] [4]. For up‑to‑date results rely on national wire services and state secretaries of state — AP provides live race calls and vote counts, and state SOS result pages update as counties report [5] [6].
1. Where to get official candidate filings — go to the filing officer
Candidates file with an official filing officer: for federal races that is the FEC for campaign committees and the relevant state election office or county elections office for ballot access; the FEC’s dates page lists special-general dates and notices for December 2 contests [1]. State secretaries of state and county election sites publish candidate lists and filing instructions — Minnesota and North Carolina secretaries of state explicitly publish filing periods and where to submit notices of candidacy [2] [7]. If you need the legally binding list of who qualified for the ballot, check the state or county election office that runs that jurisdiction’s election (available sources do not mention a single universal database).
2. How to find endorsements — look for multiple sources and compiled trackers
Endorsements are fragmented: national and local party committees, unions, advocacy PACs, editorial boards and independent trackers publish endorsement lists. Ballotpedia maintains endorsement and candidate pages and notes specific special elections such as Tennessee’s 7th District on Dec. 2 [3] [4]. Labor and professional PACs frequently post endorsement announcements (SEIU, WSNA) and local newspapers and editorial boards publish curated endorsements [8] [9] [10]. For balance, consult several endorsement sources — party lists, interest groups, and independent newsrooms — because each has explicit political goals that shape their choices [10] [9].
3. Where to watch live and final results — wire services and state SOS pages
National wire services and legacy outlets provide near real‑time results and race calls; Associated Press runs a live results project and is the source many outlets use for official race calls [5]. State secretaries of state publish election-night dashboards and then certify results days or weeks later; for example California’s SOS updates results as counties report and plans to certify by December 12, 2025 [6] [11]. Use the AP feed for national consistency and the state SOS results page for official vote totals and certification timing [5] [6].
4. Timing and certification — unofficial vs. official numbers
Expect a two-step flow: unofficial, frequently updated tallies on election night from county/state sites and wire services; and later official certification by the state. California’s process shows county officials report final official results to the Secretary of State and the SOS certifies on a later date (certification Dec. 12 in that example) [6] [11]. For any December 2 special election, check the state’s posted certification calendar so you know when night‑of totals become final [6].
5. What to watch in the Tennessee 7th special — sources to follow
Coverage identifies the headliners: Matt Van Epps (R) and Aftyn Behn (D) in Tennessee’s 7th District special on Dec. 2 [12]. Ballotpedia lists the contest among upcoming special elections [3]. For real‑time results of that race, rely on AP’s results feed and local state or county election pages as they push precinct returns [5] [12].
6. Pitfalls, caveats and a recommended checklist
- Don’t treat endorsement lists as neutral: PACs and editorial boards each have agendas; cross‑check multiple endorsers to map influence [10] [9].
- Unofficial night‑of numbers can change; certification dates (often days/weeks after election day) are where totals become official [6] [11].
- For federal reporting and committee filings consult the FEC for disclosure calendars; for candidate ballot access use the state or county election office that administers the contest [1] [2].
Actionable checklist: Open the state secretary of state or county elections page for the district you care about; follow AP’s live results feed for consistent race calls [5] [6]; consult Ballotpedia and key PAC/party pages for compiled endorsements [3] [4]; for federal campaign finance and committee filings, use the FEC calendar and filings pages [1].
Limitations: local county election pages and some endorsement lists are not included in the sources provided here; consult the specific county or state election office and the named endorsing organizations directly for the most complete, up‑to‑the‑minute material (available sources do not mention every county or local endorsement list).