Handbook·Elections

Running for office in Minnesota

State page·Verified 2026-07-10

This page covers what's specific to Minnesota on top of the general guide to filing for local office.

Filing in Minnesota

Minnesota's filing window varies by office type. Every candidate submits an affidavit of candidacy and either pays a filing fee or submits a petition in place of the fee. Where you file also depends on the office: state legislative, statewide, judicial, and most county candidates file with the Secretary of State or the county auditor, city candidates file with their city clerk, and school board candidates file with their school district clerk.

Deadlines and numbers

  • State legislature, statewide, county, and judicial offices: filing runs May 19 to June 2, 2026, 5:00pm. Withdrawal deadline June 4, 2026
  • Cities and school districts that can hold a primary: same window, May 19 to June 2, 2026
  • Cities and school districts without a primary: July 14 to July 28, 2026, 5:00pm
  • Filing fees: $100 for state legislature, $50 for county offices, $300 for judicial offices, and a locally set amount for city offices (examples found range from $20 to $250)
  • Petition in lieu of fee: the lesser of 500 signatures or 5 percent of votes cast for that office in the last general election, gathered during the filing period. Higher fixed minimums apply to offices like U.S. Senate (2,000) and U.S. House (1,000)

The dossier didn't individually verify township office filing fee amounts. Check the Secretary of State's township office page directly, or /engage, if you need that figure.

Where to go