Running for Office

NOTE: All candidates must be registered and qualified electors of the districts in which they are seeking office.

Getting Started

Which office are you running for?

The complete list of offices on the 2026 ballot can be found here.

If you are unsure of which precinct you live, visit michigan.gov/vote. This website allows you to view your voter registration status, sample ballot, polling location and voting precinct.

Nominating Petitions

Nominating petitions are available from election officials on the county and local levels. Petition sheets may be purchased from commercial suppliers or the candidate may make photo copies if they are exactly the same as the originals.

Petitions are filed with the following official:

OfficeDistrictMichigan Secretary of StateCass County ClerkLocal Clerk

Senate

21stYesN/AN/A
Senate59thYesN/AN/A
Senate78thYesN/AN/A

House

6thYesN/AN/A

County Commissioner

1st through 7thN/AYesN/A

Prosecuting Attorney

N/AN/AYesN/A

Sheriff

N/AN/AYesN/A

Clerk/Register

N/AN/AYesN/A

Treasurer

N/AN/AYesN/A

Drain Commissioner

N/AN/AYesN/A

Probate Court Judge

N/AN/AYesN/A

District Court Judge

N/AYesN/AN/A

Circuit Court Judge

N/AYesN/AN/A

City, Township or Village Officials

N/AN/AN/AYes

Public Schools

N/AN/AYesN/A

 

Filing

Petitions are filed on or before 4 p.m. on the 12th Tuesday preceding the August Primary Election for state offices, county offices and township offices. Petitions for school board candidates are filed on or before 4 p.m. on the 9th Monday before the school election.

Partisan candidates for State Senator, State Representative, County Offices and County Commission Districts may file a $100 fee in lieu of nominating petitions.

The filing fee is deposited in the general fund of the county and is refunded to candidates who are nominated.

Write-In Candidates

Candidates who wish to run as a write-in candidate must file a Declaration of Intent with the appropriate filing official by 4 p.m. on the Friday preceding the election.