Final answer:
The process by which a person formally announces their intention to run for office and gathers necessary signatures on petitions to qualify for ballot placement is known as the nomination phase in the election process. It requires collecting signatures from registered voters, which are then verified by state officials before the candidate can be placed on the ballot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process in which a person announces their candidacy and gathers signed petitions from a specified number of voters to be placed on the ballot is known as the nomination phase in elections. To begin, a potential candidate declares an interest in running for office and builds a base of support. Once enough signatures from registered voters are collected on a petition, the petition is submitted to and verified by a state agency or the secretary of state for ballot placement.
The number of signatures required typically corresponds to a percentage of the votes from a past election, depending on the state's laws. For instance, in California, the number of signatures needed can be a 5 percent or 8 percent threshold of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial race. This phase of campaigning involves public appearances and media events, and is crucial for the candidate's success in becoming a nominee or gaining ballot access without the official endorsement of a major political party.