Michigan signature requirements

Signature requirements (By state)

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This page details Michigan signature requirements. In many states, the signatures of registered voters must be collected to place candidates or initiatives on the ballot. However, for candidates, filing fees are sometimes required or accepted in lieu of signatures.

Federal offices

U.S. Senate

Partisan candidates for Senate must file an Affidavit of Identity and a partisan nominating petition bearing a minimum of 15,000 valid signatures. Up to 30,000 signatures can be filed to cover the minimum signature requirement. The petition must be signed by at least 100 registered electors in each of at least half of the congressional districts in the state.

Independent candidates for Senate must file an Affidavit of Identity and a qualifying petition bearing a minimum of 30,000 valid signatures. Up to 60,000 signatures can be filed to cover the minimum signature requirement. A filing fee option is not available. The petition must be signed by at least 100 registered electors in each of at least a half of the congressional districts in the state.

U.S. House

Partisan candidates for House must file an Affidavit of Identity and a partisan nominating petition bearing a minimum of 1,000 valid signatures. Up to 2,000 signatures can be filed to cover the minimum signature requirement. A filing fee option is not available.

Independent candidates for House must file an Affidavit of Identity and a qualifying petition bearing a minimum of 3,000 valid signatures. Up to 6,000 signatures can be filed to cover the minimum signature requirement. A filing fee option is not available.

Filing deadlines

2012

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 U.S. Congress elections

Partisan candidates for Senate and House had to submit petition and forms no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 15, 2012.

Independent candidates for Senate and House had to submit petition and forms no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 19, 2012.

A candidate who wished to seek the Republican Party or Democratic Party nomination to the office of U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative with write-in votes had to file a Declaration of Intent no later than 4:00 pm. on July 27, 2012.

A candidate who wished to seek election to the office of U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative with write-in votes had to file a Declaration of Intent no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 26, 2012.

State offices

Statewide executive offices

Michigan did not hold any State Executive office elections in 2012.

State legislature

State Senate

Michigan did not hold any State Senate elections in 2012.

State House

Partisan candidates for State House must file an Affidavit of Identity and a partisan nominating petition bearing a minimum of 200 valid signatures. Up to 400 signatures can be filed to cover the minimum signature requirement. A $100.00 filing fee may be submitted in lieu of a petition. The filing fee is refunded if the candidate receives nomination to the office or places second in the race.

Independent candidates for State House must file an Affidavit of Identity and a qualifying petition bearing a minimum of 600 valid signatures. Up to 1,200 signatures can be filed to cover the minimum signature requirement. A filing fee option is not available.

Filing deadlines

2012

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state government elections

Partisan candidates for State House had to submit petition and forms no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 15, 2012.

Independent candidates for State House had to submit petition and forms no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 19, 2012.

A candidate who wished to seek the Republican Party or Democratic Party nomination to the office of State House with write-in votes had to file a Declaration of Intent no later than 4:00 pm. on July 27, 2012.

A candidate who wished to seek election to the office of State House with write-in votes had to file a Declaration of Intent no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 26, 2012.

Ballot measures

Michigan signature requirements differ between a constitutional amendment, initiative, or a referendum.

Signature requirements

The current signature requirements in Michigan are as follows: Michigan's signature requirements are tied to the total number of votes cast for the office of Governor at the last election. For statutes, signatures equaling 8% of this total are required. For amendments, 10% are required. For veto referenda, 5% are required.

Year	Initiated amendment	Initiated statute	Veto referendum
2014	322,609	258,087	161,304
2012	322,609	258,087	161,304
2010	382,129	305,703	191,065
2008	380,126	304,101	190,063

See law: Michigan Constitution, Article II, Section 9 & Article XII, Section 2

Basis of calculation

• In 2010, 3,226,088 votes were cast for the Office of Governor.

Recall

• Recall in Michigan requires that signatures equal 25% of the votes cast for Governor in the electoral district of the officer to be recalled. Judges are exempt.

Deadlines

2012

The deadline to submit signatures for a citizen initiated constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot is July 9, 2012. The deadline to submit signatures for an initiated state statute on the 2012 ballot was May 30, 2012. The deadline for submitting signatures to vetoing legislation by referendum is 90 days after the final adjournment of the Legislature.

See also

• Laws governing the initiative process in Michigan
• States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor

External links

• Initiative and Referendum Petitions from the Michigan Secretary of State
• Information and Facts on Referendum signature requirements, Michigan Department of State
• Recall Procedures from the Michigan Secretary of State
• Michigan signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
• Statewide ballot proposal status page
• Constitutional amendments on the Michigan ballot, 1963-2008
• Election Deadlines and Dates 2012
• Filing Requirements for U.S. Senator Candidates 2012
• Filing Requirements for U.S. Representative Candidates 2012
• Filing Requirements for Independent Candidates 2012
• Petition Signature Requirement Chart 2012