Running For Office

Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing 

Precinct Delegate Affidavit of Identity

Preparing, Circulating and Filing Petitions for Public Office (Regularly Scheduled Elections)

Circulating and Canvassing City/Township Nominating and Qualifying Petition Forms

Circulating Countywide Nominating and Qualifying Petition Forms

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 photocopies provided the copies are exactly the same as the original. The style of petition used depends on the office sought.

Michigan Election Law determines the format of the petitions candidates use when collecting signatures (P.A. 116 Section 168.544c).

Where Are Petitions Filed?

Congressional District 8, State Senate Districts 26, 34 & 35	File with the Michigan Dept. of State, Bureau of Elections in Lansing
State Representative 94th District	File with the Saginaw County Clerk's Office
State Representative District 71, 93 & 97	File with the Michigan Dept. of State, Bureau of Elections in Lansing
County Wide Offices: Prosecutor, Sheriff, County Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Public Works Commissioner	File with the Saginaw County Clerk's Office
County Commissioners 1st - 11th Districts	File with the Saginaw County Clerk's Office
Appeals Court Judge, Circuit Court Judges or District Court Judges	File with the Michigan Dept. of State, Bureau of Elections in Lansing
Probate Court Judge	File with the Saginaw County Clerk's Office
City, Township or Village Offices	File with the clerks of the township where the village is located. (Link to City, Township & Village Addresses)
School Board Members	File with clerk of the township or city where the district is located - except New Lothrop files with Maple Grove Township.
Intermediate School Board Members	File with the Saginaw County Clerk's Office
Precinct Delegates	File with the Saginaw County Clerk's Office

Petition Filing Deadline

Petitions are filed on or before 4 p.m. on the 15th Tuesday preceding the August Primary Election for state, county and township offices. Petitions for school board candidates are filed on or before 4 p.m. on the 15th Tuesday before November even year election.

Filing Fee Instead Of Nominating Petitions

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

School Districts and Library Boards may file a non-refundable filing fee in lieu of petitions. 

Persons wishing to run with no party affiliation must file qualifying petitions by the required filing date in July and may not file a filing fee.  They will only appear on the November General Election.

Posting of Political Signs

Election Sign Ordinance information was compiled by the Saginaw County Clerk's Office to assist candidates and property owners. This information is based on responses received from officials in each jurisdiction. Saginaw County is not the enforcing authority for any jurisdiction. Any questions should be directed to the appropriate City, Township or Village. For Information regarding State Highways, contact the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Read a description of the sign ordinances from Saginaw County.

Write-in Candidate

Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent

Please contact the Saginaw County Clerk's Office for additional information.

Candidate Campaign Committee

As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan's Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he/she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee's formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers a Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with his/her filing official (Saginaw County Clerk's Office). A person becomes a candidate under the Campaign Finance Act on the date he/she:

• files a nominating petition, a filing fee or an affidavit of candidacy; or
• receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, or gives consent to someone else to receive a contribution or make an expenditure with a view to bringing about the individual's nomination or election to an elective office; or
• is nominated for an elective office by a political party caucus or convention.

Exception: A candidate who seeks a precinct delegate position is not required to file a Statement of Organization. In addition, a candidate:

• who seeks a school board position in a school district with a pupil membership count of 2,400 or less.
• receives or spends $1,000.00 or less for the election is not required to file a Statement of Organization

A candidate is required to file two copies of this form with the clerk of the county in which he/she resides. Exception: A candidate for a school board seat that will be voted on in more than one county files two copies of this form with the clerk of the county in which the greatest number of votes eligible to vote on the office reside.

A candidate for a state elective office or judicial office is required to file two copies with the Michigan Department of State, Bureau of Elections, P. O. Box 20126, Lansing Michigan 48901.