Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Michigan

Ballot access for major and minor party candidates
Ballot access for presidential candidates
List of political parties in the United States
Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Michigan, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Michigan. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Michigan." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2022

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Michigan in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Michigan, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Michigan	U.S. House	Democratic or Republican	1,000	N/A	4/19/2022	Source
Michigan	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	3,000	N/A	7/21/2022	Source

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Michigan in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Michigan, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source	Notes
Michigan	Governor	Democratic or Republican	15,000	N/A	4/19/2022	Source
Michigan	Governor	Unaffiliated	12,000	N/A	2022-07-21	Source

For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2020

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Michigan in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Michigan, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2020
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Signature formula	Filing fee	Filing fee formula	Filing deadline	Source
Michigan	U.S. Senate	Major party	15,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	U.S. Senate	Unaffiliated	30,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Michigan in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Michigan, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Signature formula	Filing fee	Filing fee formula	Filing deadline	Source
Michigan	10th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	10th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	10th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	11th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	11th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	11th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	12th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	12th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	12th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	13th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	13th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	13th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	14th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	14th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	14th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	1st Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	1st Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	1st Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	2nd Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	2nd Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	2nd Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	3rd Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	3rd Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	3rd Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	4th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	4th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	4th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	5th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	5th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	5th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	6th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	6th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	6th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	7th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	7th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	7th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	8th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	8th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	8th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source
Michigan	9th Congressional District	Major party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	9th Congressional District	Qualified party	1,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	5/8/2020	Source
Michigan	9th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	3,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	7/16/2020	Source

State House

The table below details filing requirements for Michigan House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Michigan House of Representatives	Qualified party	Varies by district population	N/A	4/21/2020	Source
Michigan House of Representatives	Unaffiliated	Varies by district population	N/A	7/16/2020	Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and Michigan elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

April 24, 2018

2016

See also: Michigan elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Michigan in 2016. As of July 1, 2015, only campaign finance deadlines and election dates had been made available by the state. Ballot access deadlines will be added as they become available.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline	Event type	Event description
February 12, 2016	Campaign finance	Pre-election report due
February 23, 2016	Election date	Election
March 21, 2016	Ballot access	Deadline for incumbent judges seeking re-election to file for the state primary
March 24, 2016	Campaign finance	Post-election report due
April 19, 2016	Ballot access	Deadline for partisan and nonpartisan candidates (other than incumbent judges) to file for the state primary
April 22, 2016	Campaign finance	Pre-election report due
May 3, 2016	Election date	Election
June 2, 2016	Campaign finance	Post-election report due
July 21, 2016	Ballot access	Deadline for unaffiliated candidates to file for the general election
July 22, 2016	Campaign finance	Pre-election report due
August 2, 2016	Election date	Primary election
September 1, 2016	Campaign finance	Post-election report due
October 28, 2016	Campaign finance	Pre-election report due
November 8, 2016	Election date	General election
December 8, 2016	Campaign finance	Post-election report due
Sources: Michigan Secretary of State, "2015 and 2016 Campaign Finance Filing Schedule," accessed July 1, 2015 Michigan Secretary of State, ,"2016 Michigan Election Dates," accessed January 16, 2016

2015

{{Ballot access collapsible list |Year = 2015 |Content =

See also: Michigan elections, 2015

There were no regularly scheduled state executive, state legislative or congressional elections in Michigan in 2015.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_48760

Process to become a candidate

For major party candidates

See statutes: Michigan Election Law, "Preparation and Filing of Nominating Petitions; Fees"

Political parties whose principal candidate received at least 5 percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Michigan Secretary of State at the most recent general election are considered major parties and must generally nominate their candidates by primary election.

A major party candidate for governor, the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, or the state legislature must file an affidavit of identity and nominating petition by 4:00 p.m. on the 15th Tuesday preceding the primary election. Candidates for secretary of state and attorney general are not nominated by primary, but by convention.

The affidavit of identity requires the candidate to provide basic identifying information (such as name, residential and mailing address, the office being sought, etc.). The affidavit also includes a campaign finance compliance statement, which the candidate must sign before a notary public.

Nominating petition signature requirements vary according to the population of the electoral division (e.g., entire state, congressional district, state legislative district, etc.) and are summarized in the table below.

Statutory signature requirements for major party candidates
Population of electoral division	Minimum signatures	Maximum signatures
0 - 9,999	3	10
10,000 - 24,999	20	50
25,000 - 49,999	50	100
50,000 - 74,999	100	200
75,000 - 99,999	200	400
100,000 - 199,999	300	500
200,000 - 499,999	500	1,000
500,000 - 999,999	1,000	2,000
1,000,000 - 1,999,999	2,000	4,000
2,000,000 - 4,999,999	4,000	8,000
Over 5 million (statewide)	15,000	30,000

A major party state legislative candidate may pay a filing fee of $100 in lieu of filing a nominating petition.

Filing paperwork for federal, statewide, and multi-county state legislative district offices must be submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. Filing paperwork for single-county state legislative district offices must be submitted to the appropriate county clerk.

For minor party candidates

See statutes: Michigan Election Law, Section 168.686a

Political parties whose principal candidate received less than 5 percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Michigan Secretary of State at the most recent general election are considered non-major parties and cannot nominate their candidates by primary election. Instead, such parties must nominate their candidates by county caucuses and state conventions. Candidates for the United States House of Representatives or the state legislature may be nominated by county caucuses, provided that the applicable electoral district lies entirely within the boundaries of a single county. Candidates for statewide office must be nominated by state conventions. District candidates (e.g., state legislative or congressional candidates whose districts encompass parts of more than one county) may be nominated at district caucuses held in conjunction with state conventions, provided that delegates from the district are in attendance.

No more than one day following the conclusion of a caucus or convention, the chairperson and secretary of the caucus or convention must certify the names and mailing addresses of the selected candidates to the county clerk (if nominated by county caucus) or Michigan Secretary of State (if nominated by state convention). This certification must be accompanied by an affidavit of identity (the same as that filed by major party candidates) and a signed certificate of acceptance of the nomination for each candidate.

Caucuses and conventions must be held by the date of the state primary election.

For independent candidates

See statutes: Michigan Election Law, "Candidates Without Political Party Affiliation"

An independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file an affidavit of identity (the same as that filed by party candidates) and a qualifying petition. All filing materials must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the 110th day preceding the general election.

Qualifying petition signature requirements vary according to the population of the electoral division (e.g., entire state, congressional district, state legislative district, etc.) and are summarized in the table below.

Statutory signature requirements for independent candidates
Population of electoral division	Minimum signatures	Maximum signatures
0 - 9,999	9	30
10,000 - 24,999	60	150
25,000 - 49,999	150	300
50,000 - 74,999	300	600
75,000 - 99,999	600	1,200
100,000 - 199,999	900	1,500
200,000 - 499,999	1,500	3,000
500,000 - 999,999	3,000	6,000
1,000,000 - 1,999,999	6,000	12,000
2,000,000 - 4,999,999	12,000	24,000
Over 5 million (statewide)	30,000	60,000

Signatures on qualifying petitions must be collected in the 180 days prior to the date the petition is filed. Any signatures collected prior to that will not be counted.

Filing paperwork for federal, statewide, and multi-county state legislative district offices must be submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. Filing paperwork for single-county state legislative district offices must be submitted to the appropriate county clerk.

For write-in candidates

In order to have his or her votes tallied, a write-in candidate must submit a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate to the appropriate filing official by 4:00 p.m. on the second Friday immediately preceding an election.

Filing paperwork for federal, statewide, and multi-county state legislative district offices must be submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. Filing paperwork for single-county state legislative district offices must be submitted to the appropriate county clerk.

Candidate name conventions

Michigan law establishes the following conventions to govern how a candidate's name can be rendered on an election ballot:

1. A candidate "may specify that both his or her given name and middle name, or only a middle name, shall appear on the ballot."
2. A candidate "may specify that either an initial or a recognized diminutive for the candidate's given name or middle name, or for both, shall appear on the ballot."
3. A candidate cannot use a "nickname that is not a recognized diminutive for the candidate's given name or middle name."
4. A married individual cannot "use his or her spouse's given name, middle name, or a diminutive of his or her spouse's given name or middle name."
5. A candidate can "specify a name that constitutes a common law name in accordance with Michigan Department of State Guidelines."

Vacancies

Upon the death, resignation, or removal of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the governor must issue a call for a special election to fill the vacancy. A special primary must be held at least 20 days prior to the date of the special election. The proclamation must establish all election dates and candidate filing deadlines.

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

In some cases, political parties and/or candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Michigan.

Format requirements

Ballot access petitions in Michigan are subject to the formal requirements detailed below.

Nominating petitions for major party candidates

See statutes: Michigan Election Law, Section 168.544c

Nominating petitions for major party candidates must include language substantially the same as the following:

“

NOMINATING PETITION (PARTISAN) We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters of the city or township of [name of city of township], in the county of [name of county] and state of Michigan, nominate [name of candidate], [street address], [city or township], as a candidate of the [name of party] party for the office [name of office being sought], [electoral district, if applicable], to be voted for at the primary election to be held on the [date] day of [month], [year]. WARNING: A person who knowingly signs more petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law. CERTIFICATE OF CIRCULATOR The undersigned circulator of the above petition asserts that he or she is qualified to circulate this petition and that each signature on the petition was signed in his or her presence; and that, to his or her best knowledge and belief, each signature is the genuine signature of the person purporting to sign the petition, the person signing the petition was at the time of signing a qualified registered elector of the city or township listed in the heading of the petition, and the elector was qualified to sign the petition. Circulator -- do not sign or date certificate until after circulating petition. [Printed name and signature of circulator; date] [City or township where registered] [Complete residential address] [Zip code] Warning -- A circulator knowingly making a false statement in the above certificate, a person not a circulator who signs as a circulator, or a person who signs a name other than his or her own as circulator is guilty of a misdemeanor.

”

Nominating petitions must be printed on paper measuring 8.5 inches by 14 inches. The words '"Nominating petition" must be printed in 24-point boldface type. The words, "We, the undersigned," etc. must be printed in 8-point type. "Warning," and the accompanying text must be printed in 12-point boldface type. The remainder of the petition must be printed in 8-point type. The name, address, and party affiliation of the candidate and the office being sought cannot be printed in type larger than 24-point.

Qualifying petitions for independent candidates

See statutes: Michigan Election Law, Section 168.590h

Qualifying petitions for independent candidates must include language substantially the same as the following:

“

QUALIFYING PETITION (CANDIDATE WITHOUT PARTY AFFILIATION) We, the undersigned, registered and qualified electors of the city or township of [name of city or township], in the county of [name of county], and state of Michigan, nominate [name of candidate], [address of candidate], as a candidate without party affiliation for the office of [name of office sought and district, if applicable] in order that the name of the candidate can be placed without party affiliation on the ballot for the election to be held on the [date] day of [month], [year]. WARNING Whoever knowingly signs more petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the Michigan election law.

”

The remainder of the petition must be written and signed in the same manner as a nominating petition.

Signature requirements

A petition signer must include his or her printed street address, name, and date of signing.

Circulation requirements

Circulators must be United States citizens and at least 18 years of age. On April 3, 2014, Governor Rick Snyder signed HB 5152 into law. The bill removed all residency requirements for petition circulators.

Objections

Written challenges to the validity of petitions may be made within seven days of the filing deadline. Complainants must note the specific petition and signatures that they contend to be invalid.

Noteworthy events

2021

On March 29, 2021, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit struck down Michigan's petition requirement for unaffiliated candidates for statewide office, affirming a district court's decision to that effect. Writing for the court, Karen Moore (a Bill Clinton (D) appointee) said, "[It] is our responsibility to ensure that Michigan’s provisions for qualifying independent candidates for statewide office fall within the bounds of what the First and Fourteenth Amendments require. Our careful review of the facts and circumstances leads us to conclude that the 30,000-signature requirement, geographic-distribution requirement, and filing deadline, when viewed in combination, unconstitutionally burden Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights." Judge Ronald Lee Gilman (also a Clinton appointee) joined Moore's opinion. Judge Richard Griffin (a George W. Bush (R) appointee) dissented.

The district court had earlier reduced the petition signature requirement for unaffiliated statewide candidates to 12,000, an order that the state appealed. The appellate court upheld the district court's remedy, calling it a "workable interim provision."

Election-related agencies

Seal of Michigan

See also: State election agencies

Michigan Secretary of State, Bureau of Elections

Physical address: 430 W. Allegan St., Lansing, Michigan 48929

Mailing address: P.O. Box 20126, Lansing, Michigan 48901-0726

Telephone: 517-373-2540

Fax: 517-373-0941

Website: https://www.michigan.gov/sos

Counties

See also: Counties in Michigan

A candidate may need to file a number of documents with the county election office in the county in which he or she resides. Individual county contact information is listed below. To provide information for the table below, please email us.

Michigan county office contact information
County	Email	Primary phone	Street address	City	Zip code
Alcona County	pattit@alcona-county.net	989.724.9410	106 5th St.,	Harrisville, MI	48740
Alger County	mfroberg@algercourthouse.com	906.387.7053	101 Court St., PO Box 538	Munising, MI	49862
Allegan County	jwatts@allegancounty.org	269.673.0450	113 Chestnut St.	Allegan, MI	49010
Alpena County	friedrib@alpenacounty.org	989.354.9520	720 W Chisholm St., Ste. 2	Alpena, MI	49707
Antrim County	guys@antrimcounty.org	231.533.6353	203 E. Cayuga, PO Box 520	Bellaire, MI	49615
Arenac County	rrockwell@arenaccountygov.com	989.846.4626	120 N. Grove, PO Box 747	Standish, MI	48658
Baraga County	goodreauw@baragacounty.org	906.524.6183	16 N. Third St.	L'Anse, MI	49946
Barry County	pjarvis@barryco.org	269.945.1285	220 W. State Street	Hastings, MI	49058
Bay County	luczakc@baycounty.net	989.895.4280	515 Center Ave., Ste. 101	Bay City, MI	48708
Benzie County	dolney@benzieco.net	231.882.9671	448 Court Place	Beulah, MI	49617
Berrien County	styler@berriencounty.org	269.983.7111	811 Port St.	St. Joseph, MI	49085
Branch County	tkubasiak@countyofbranch.com	517.279.4306	31 Division St.	Coldwater, MI	49036
Calhoun County	anorlander@calhouncountymi.gov	269.781.0707	315 W. Green St.	Marshall, MI	49068
Cass County	MonicaK@cassco.org	269.445.4464	120 N. Broadway, P.O. Box 355	Cassopolis, MI	49031
Charlevoix County	browec@charlevoixcounty.org	231.547.7200	203 Antrim Street	Charlevoix, MI	49720
Cheboygan County	clerk@cheboygancounty.net	231.627.8808	870 S. Main St., PO Box 70	Cheboygan, MI	49721
Chippewa County	cmaleport@chippewacountymi.gov	906.635.6300	319 Court St.	Sault Ste. Marie, MI	49783
Clare County	mayfieldp@clareco.net	989.539.7131	225 W. Main St., PO Box 438	Harrison, MI	48625
Clinton County	zukerd@clinton-county.org	989.224.5140	100 E. State St., Ste. 2600	St. Johns, MI	48879
Crawford County	smoore@crawfordco.org	989.344.3200	200 W. Michigan Ave.	Grayling, MI	49738
Delta County	clerk@deltacountymi.org	906.789.5105	310 Ludington St.	Escanaba, MI	49829
Dickinson County	clerkdolly@dickinsoncountymi.gov	906.774.0988	705 S. Stephenson, PO Box 609	Iron Mountain, MI	49801
Eaton County	dbosworth@eatoncounty.org	517.543.2421	1045 Independence Blvd.	Charlotte, MI	48813
Emmett County	gmartin@emmetcounty.org	231.348.1744	200 Division St., Ste. 130	Petoskey, MI	49770
Genesee County		810.257.3224	900 S. Saginaw St., 2nd Floor East	Flint, MI	48502
Gladwin County	countyclerk@gladwinco.com	989.426.7351	401 W. Cedar Ave.	Gladwin, MI	48624
Gogebic County	gpelissero@gogebic.org	906.663.4518	200 N. Moore St.	Bessemer, MI	49911
Grand Traverse County	bscheele@grandtraverse.org	231.922.4762	400 Boardman Ave.	Traverse City, MI	49684
Gratiot County	gratiotcountyclerk@yahoo.com	989.875.5215	214 E. Center St.	Ithaca, MI	48847
Hillsdale County	mkast@co.hillsdale.mi.us	517.437.3391	29 N. Howell St., Rm 1	Hillsdale, MI	49242
Houghton County	pat@houghtoncounty.net	906.482.1150	401 E. Houghton Ave.	Houghton, MI	49931
Huron County	neall@co.huron.mi.us	989.269.9942	250 E. Huron Ave., Rm 201	Bad Axe, MI	48413
Ingham County	bbyrum@ingham.org	517.676.7204	345 S. Jefferson, PO Box 179	Mason, MI	48854
Ionia County	trich@ioniacounty.org	616.527.5322	100 W. Main St., Courthouse	Ionia, MI	48846
Iosco County	nhuebel@ioscocounty.org	989.362.3497	422 W. Lake St., PO Box 838	Tawas City, MI	48764
Iron County	dhilberg@ironmi.org	906.875.3221	2 South 6th St.	Crystal Falls, MI	49920
Isabella County	mlux@isabellacounty.org	989.772.0911	200 N. Main St.	Mt Pleasant, MI	48858
Jackson County	ariska@co.jackson.mi.us	517.788.4265	312 S. Jackson St.	Jackson, MI	49201
Kalamazoo County	tasnow@kalcounty.com	269.383.8840	201 W. Kalamazoo Ave.	Kalamazoo, MI	49007
Kalkaska County	dhill@kalkaskacourt.org	231.258.3300	605 N. Birch	Kalkaska, MI	49646
Kent County	mary.hollinrake@kentcountymi.gov	616.632.7640	300 Monroe Ave., NW	Grand Rapids, MI	49503
Keweenaw County	keweenawclerk@pasty.net	906.337.2229	5095 Fourth St.	Eagle River, MI	49950
Lake County	clerk@co.lake.mi.us	231.745.2725	800 10th St., Ste. 200	Baldwin, MI	49304
Lapeer County	tspencer@lapeercounty.org	810.667.0356	255 Clay St.	Lapeer, MI	48446
Leelanau County	mcrocker@co.leelanau.mi.us	231.256.9824	8527 E. Gov. Center Dr., Ste. 103	Suttons Bay, MI	49682
Lenawee County	roxann.holloway@lenawee.mi.us	517.264.4594	425 N. Main St.	Adrian, MI	49221
Livingston County	mdunleavy@co.livingston.mi.us	517.546.0500	200 E. Grand River Ave.	Howell, MI	48843
Luce County	lucoclrk@lighthouse.net	906.293.5521	407 W. Harrie St.	Newberry, MI	49868
Mackinac County	macclerk@lighthouse.net	906.643.7300	100 S. Marley St., Rm 10	St Ignace, MI	49781
Macomb County	carmella.sabaugh@macombgov.org	586.469.5205	40 N. Main St., 1st Floor	Mt Clemens, MI	48043
Manistee County	p51nowak@manisteecountymi.gov	231.723.3331	415 Third St.	Manistee, MI	49660
Marquette County	pdishnow@mqtco.org	906.225.8330	234 W. Baraga Ave.	Marquette, MI	49855
Mason County	jriffle@masoncounty.net	231.843.8202	304 E. Ludington Ave.	Ludington, MI	49431
Mecosta County	mpurcell@co.mecosta.mi.us	231.592.0783	400 Elm St.	Big Rapids, MI	49307
Menominee County	mkleiman@menomineeco.com	906.863.9968	839 10th Ave.	Menominee, MI	49858
Midland County	amanary@co.midland.mi.us	989.832.6739	220 W. Ellsworth St.	Midland, MI	48640
Missaukee County	clerk@missaukee.org	231.839.4967	111 S. Canal St., PO Box 800	Lake City, MI	49651
Monroe County	Sharon_Lemasters@monroemi.org	734.240.7020	106 E. First St.	Monroe, MI	48161
Montcalm County	kmillard@co.montcalm.mi.us	989.831.7339	Vital Records/Elections PO Box 368, Stanton, MI 48888	Stanton, MI	48888
Montmorency County	montclerk@i2k.net	989.785.8022	12265 M-32, PO Box 789	Atlanta, MI	49709
Muskegon County	clerk@co.muskegon.mi.us	231.724.6316	141 E. Apple Ave., 2nd Floor	Muskegon, MI	49442
Newaygo County	laurie@co.newaygo.mi.us	231.689.7235	1087 E. Newell St., PO Box 885	White Cloud, MI	49349
Oakland County	brownlr@oakgov.com	248.858.0561	1200 North Telegraph Road, Dept. #415	Pontiac, MI	48341
Oceana County	rgriffin@oceana.mi.us	231.873.4328	100 State St.	Hart, MI	49420
Ogemaw County	gklacking@ogemawcountymi.gov	989.345.0215	806 W. Houghton Ave., Rm 101	West Branch, MI	48661
Ontonagon County	ontclerk@ontonagoncounty.org	906.884.4255	725 Greenland Rd.	Ontonogon, MI	49953
Osceola County	oscclerk1@osceolacountymi.com	231.832.3261	301 W. Upton Ave.	Reed City, MI	49677
Oscoda County	jwinton@oscodacountymi.com	989.826.1109	311 S.Morenci Ave., PO Box 399	Mio, MI	48647
Otsego County	sdefeyter@otsegocountymi.gov	989.731.7500	225 W. Main St.	Gaylord, MI	49735
Ottawa County	dkrueger@miottawa.org	616.994.4531	12220 Fillmore St., PO Box 296	West Olive, MI	49460
Presque Isle County	piclerk@picounty.org	989.306.0615	151 E. Huron Ave., PO Box 110	Rogers City, MI	49779
Roscommon County	clerk@roscommoncounty.net	989.275.7614	500 Lake St.	Roscommon, MI	48653
Saginaw County	skaltenbach@saginawcounty.com	989.790.5251	111 S. Michigan Ave.	Saginaw, MI	48602
Sanilac County	countyclerk@sanilaccounty.net	810.648.3212	60 W. Sanilac Ave., Courthouse Rm 203	Sandusky, MI	48471
Schoolcraft County	clerk@schoolcraftcounty.us	906.341.3618	300 Walnut St., Rm 164	Manistique, MI	49854
Shiawassee County	lbraid@shiawassee.net	989.743.2242	208 N. Shiawassee St.	Corunna, MI	48817
St. Clair County	jdeboyer@stclaircounty.org	810.985.2200	201 McMorran Blvd., Rm 1100	Port Huron, MI	48060
St. Joseph County	benderp@stjosephcountymi.org	269.467.5603	125 W. Main St., PO Box 189	Centreville, MI	49032
Tuscola County	jfetting@tuscolacounty.org	989.672.3780	440 N. State St.	Caro, MI	48723
VanBuren County	learyt@vbco.org	269.657.8218	212 Paw Paw St., Ste. 101	Paw Paw, MI	49079
Washtenaw County	kestenbauml@ewashtenaw.org	734.222.6730	200 N. Main	Ann Arbor, MI	48104
Wayne County	cgarrett@co.wayne.mi.us	313.224.6262	2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 211	Detroit, MI	48226
Wexford County	clerk@wexfordcounty.org	231.779.9450	437 E. Division St.	Cadillac, MI	49601

Term limits

State executives

See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

State executive term limits in Michigan are established in Article V, Section 30, of the Michigan Constitution and are as follows:

• The governor may serve a total of two terms.
• The lieutenant governor may serve a total of two terms.
• The secretary of state may serve a total of two terms.
• The attorney general may serve a total of two terms.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

Members of the Michigan State Senate may serve a total of two four-year terms, and members of the Michigan House of Representatives may serve a total of three two-year terms.

Term limits were imposed on state legislators as a result of a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1992.

Congressional partisanship

See also: List of United States Representatives from Michigan and List of United States Senators from Michigan

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Michigan.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Michigan
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	7	9
Republican	0	6	6
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	13	15

State legislative partisanship

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Michigan.

Michigan State Senate

Party		As of April 2023
	Democratic Party	20
	Republican Party	18
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		38

Michigan House of Representatives

Party		As of April 2023
	Democratic Party	56
	Republican Party	54
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		110

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

State election laws are changing. Keeping track of the latest developments in all 50 states can seem like an impossible job.

Here's the solution: Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Tracker sets the industry standard for ease of use, flexibility, and raw power. But that's just the beginning of what it can do:

• Ballotpedia's election experts provide daily updates on bills and other relevant political developments
• We translate bill text into summaries that are easy-to-digest everyday language
• And because it's from Ballotpedia, our Tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan

The Ballot Bulletin

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.

Recent issues

Click below to view recent issues of The Ballot Bulletin.

• The Ballot Bulletin: April 7, 2023
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• The Ballot Bulletin: March 17, 2023
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See also

• Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Michigan
• Ballot access requirements for political parties in Michigan
• Michigan elections, 2020
• Campaign finance requirements in Michigan
• Counties in Michigan
• List of United States Representatives from Michigan
• List of United States Senators from Michigan
• Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions
• State executives with term limits
• States with gubernatorial term limits
• State legislatures with term limits

External links

Official state and federal links

• Michigan Secretary of State
• Federal Election Commission
• Michigan Secretary of State, "Filing for Office"

Other information

• Ballot Access News – News updates and analysis of ballot access issues
• ThirdPartyPolitics.us – Blog about American third party and independent politics
• National Voter Outreach – Political consulting firm that specializes in organizing petition signature drives