General Requirements | Must Read

• Candidates must be a registered and qualified elector in Michigan by the date of nomination.

• Must submit an Affidavit of Identity (except write-ins).

  • Available from County Clerks or BOE website.

  • Failure to file = ineligibility for ballot.

• Must comply with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (PA 388 of 1976):

  • A person becomes a candidate if they:

    • File an affidavit, fee, or petition

    • Are nominated

    • Accept or spend money

    • Are recalled or already hold office

  • Required to:

    • Form a Candidate Committee within 10 days

    • File a Statement of Organization within 10 more days

• Candidates must confirm that no outstanding fines or reports are due.

• Personal Financial Disclosure is required for:

  • Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Senator, State Rep.

  • Due May 15, 2025 (for current office holders)

  • Due May 15, 2026 OR 15 days after committee statement for 2026 candidates

  • Must be filed before assuming office.

Major Party Candidates

• Must be nominated at fall state convention (at least 60 days before the election).

• After convention:

  • Party officials must file:

    • Certified list of nominees

    • Candidate’s Affidavit of Identity

    • Certificate of Acceptance

• Will appear on November General Election ballot

• Withdrawal deadline: 4 p.m., 4th business day after convention.

Minor Party Candidates

• Must also be nominated at convention before the August Primary.

• Party must have ballot status (e.g., Libertarian, U.S. Taxpayers, Green, Natural Law, Working Class).

• Post-convention, party must file:

  • Certified list of nominees

  • Candidate’s Affidavit of Identity

  • Certificate of Acceptance

• Appear on November ballot.

• No withdrawal allowed.

Candidates Without Political Party Affiliation

• File Affidavit of Identity + qualifying petitions.

  • Due by 4 p.m. on the 110th day before the General Election (July 16, 2026).

  • Withdrawal allowed until 4 p.m. on 3rd day after filing deadline (July 20, 2026).

• Petition Requirements:

  • Use Countywide Qualifying Petition form.

  • Need 12,000–60,000 valid signatures.

  • Must include at least 100 signatures from half of Michigan’s congressional districts.

  • No filing fee option available.

  • Signatures must be collected within 180 days of filing.

Write-In Candidates

• Must file a Declaration of Intent by:

  • 4 p.m. on the second Friday before the election (October 23, 2026).

• Write-ins run without party affiliation.

• Declaration form available on BOE website.

Filing Official Contact

• All filings go to:
  Michigan Bureau of Elections
  Richard H. Austin Building, 1st Floor
  430 W. Allegan St, Lansing, MI 48933
  (800) 292-5973
  (517) 335-3235
  MDOS-File-Canvass@Michigan.gov

2026 Election Dates

• Primary Election: Tuesday, August 4, 2026

• General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026