MARCH 10, 2010

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds all candidates seeking a judicial, state, county, township or village office of the filing deadlines for the Aug. 3 primary and Nov. 2 general elections.

"Our democracy depends on citizens who step up and get involved," said Land, Michigan's chief elections officer. "I commend those entering public service for accepting the responsibilities that come with holding elective office. The first step is to follow the proper procedures to become a candidate. Be mindful of all deadlines and submit the necessary forms. State and local election officials are always ready to help."

The deadlines are as follows:

Judicial Candidates:

• Incumbent judicial candidates who are seeking re-election must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and an Affidavit of Identity no later than 5 p.m., Monday, March 22. Judicial incumbents who wish to withdraw from the election must submit a written notice to the filing official no later than 5 p.m., Thursday, March 25.
• Non-incumbent judicial candidates are required to file a nonpartisan nominating petition containing the requisite number of valid signatures, an Affidavit of Identity and an Affidavit of Constitutional Qualification no later than 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 27.

Non-incumbent judicial candidates who wish to withdraw from the election must submit a written notice to the filing official no later than 4 p.m., Friday, April 30.

All judicial candidates for the Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, District Court and Probate District Court file at the Department of State Bureau of Elections in Lansing. Probate Court candidates file with the county clerk.

State, County, Township and Village Offices:

• Township and county offices that appear on the ballot this year include office of county commissioner and those county and township offices vacated for reasons other than recall on or before May 3, 2010.
• Partisan and nonpartisan candidates for the August primary (other than judicial candidates) must file a nominating petition and an Affidavit of Identity (two copies) no later than 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 11. Candidates for county convention delegate (precinct delegate) must file an Affidavit of Identity by this same deadline. Republican and Democratic candidates who seek the office of state senator, state representative or a county office may file a $100 filing fee in lieu of a petition. Candidates who wish to withdraw from the election must submit a written notice to the filing official no later than 4 p.m., Friday, May 14.
• Candidates without political party affiliation who seek a partisan office in the November general election must file a qualifying petition and an Affidavit of Identity no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, July 15. Candidates who wish to withdraw from the election must submit a written notice to the filing official no later than 4 p.m., Monday, July 19.
• Candidates who seek a village office which will appear on the November general election ballot must file a nonpartisan nominating petition and an Affidavit of Identity no later than 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10. Village candidates who wish to withdraw from the election must submit a written notice to the filing official no later than 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 13.

Candidates for township and village offices file with the township clerk. Candidates for county office file with the county clerk. Candidates for the state Senate, state House of Representatives or the U.S. House of Representatives, whose district is wholly contained in one county, file with the county clerk. Candidates for governor and those state Senate, state House and U.S. House candidates whose districts fall in more than one county file at the Bureau of Elections in Lansing.

Affidavit of Identity forms can be obtained from any county clerk, local clerk or from the Department of State's Bureau of Elections in Lansing. Forms are also available on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos. Candidates who fail to comply with filing requirements are ineligible to appear on the ballot.

For more information regarding filing requirements and up-to-date listings of the candidates who have filed for judicial and state elective offices, visit the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or contact the Bureau of Elections at (517) 373-2540.