Become a Candidate

Candidate Filing Periods

See the Presidential Candidates page for information about when and how Presidential candidates should file.

Before a general election, there is a two-week filing period during which candidates can submit their affidavit of candidacy to the filing officer. Prospective candidates should contact the filing officer to learn which offices will be on the ballot at the upcoming election—some offices may only be up for election every two, three, four, or six years. Special elections to fill vacancies may have filing periods of different lengths.

Federal Offices

Candidates for U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative may file from May 19, 2026 until June 2, 2026 at 5 pm.

State Offices

Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General, State Senator, State Representative and any Judicial office may file from May 19, 2026 until June 2, 2026 at 5 pm.

County Offices

Candidates for county offices such as County Attorney, County Sheriff, County Commissioner, and Soil and Water Supervisor may file from May 19, 2026 until June 2, 2026 at 5 pm.

City Offices

The filing dates for city offices such as Mayor and Council Member depend on whether the city holds primaries or not.

Candidates in cities where a primary is possible may file from May 20, 2025 until June 3, 2025 at 5 pm.
Candidates in cities where a primary is not held may file from July 29, 2025 until August 12, 2025 at 5 pm.

Township Offices

The filing dates for township offices such as Town Supervisor, Town Clerk, and Town Treasurer depend on whether the town holds its elections in March or November.

Candidates in towns that hold elections in March may file from December 31, 2024 until January 14, 2025 at 5 pm.
Candidates in towns that hold elections in November may file from July 29, 2025 until August 12, 2025 at 5 pm.

School District Offices

The filing dates for school district offices such as School Board Member depend on whether the school district holds primaries or not.

Candidates in school districts where a primary is possible may file from May 20, 2025 until June 3, 2025 at 5 pm.
Candidates in school districts where a primary is not held may file from July 29, 2025 until August 12, 2025 at 5 pm.

Summary of Filing Dates

2025 Filing Dates

Summary of 2025 Filing Dates
Filing Period	Applicable Offices	Filing Opens	Filing Closes	Withdrawal Deadline
Early Filing Period	If primary is possible: City Offices School District Office	5/20/25	6/3/25	6/5/25
Late Filing Period	If primary is not possible: City Offices School District Offices Township Offices with November elections	7/29/25	8/12/25	8/14/25
Township Filing Period	Township Offices with March elections	12/31/24	1/14/25	1/16/25

2026 Filing Dates

Summary of 2026 Filing Dates
Filing Period	Applicable Offices	Filing Opens	Filing Closes	Withdrawal Deadline
Early Filing Period	Federal Offices State Offices Judicial Offices County Offices If primary is possible: City Offices School District Office	5/19/26	6/2/26	6/4/26
Late Filing Period	If primary is not possible: City Offices School District Offices Township Offices with November elections	7/28/26	8/11/26	8/13/26
Township Filing Period	Township Offices with March elections	12/30/25	1/13/26	1/15/26

2027 Filing Dates

Summary of 2027 Filing Dates
Filing Period	Applicable Offices	Filing Opens	Filing Closes	Withdrawal Deadline
Early Filing Period	If primary is possible: City Offices School District Offices	5/18/27	6/1/27	6/3/27
Late Filing Period	If primary is not possible: City Offices School District Offices Township Offices with November elections	7/27/27	8/10/27	8/12/27
Township Filing Period	Township Offices with March elections	12/29/26	1/12/27	1/14/27