Ballot access rules, called
nomination rules outside the
United States, regulate the conditions under which a candidate or
political party is entitled either to stand for election or to appear on voters'
ballots. The criterion to stand as a candidate depends on the individual legal system, however they may include the
age of a candidate, citizenship, endorsement by a political party and profession. Legal restrictions, such as those based around competence or moral aptitude, can be used in a discriminatory manner. Restrictive and discriminatory ballot access rules can impact the
civil rights of candidates, political parties and voters.