MARCH 18, 2004

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

Judicial Candidates:

• Incumbent judicial candidates who are seeking re-election must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and an Affidavit of Identity (two copies) 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 (two copies) 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 and District Court file at the Department of State Bureau of Elections in Lansing. Probate Court candidates file with the county clerk.

State, County and Township Partisan Offices:

• Republican and Democratic candidates must file a partisan nominating petition and an Affidavit of Identity (two copies) no later than 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 11. Republican and Democratic candidates who seek the office of 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 must file a qualifying petition and an Affidavit of Identity (two copies) 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 for township office file with the township clerk. Candidates for county office file with the county clerk. Candidates for the state House of Representatives or the U.S. House of Representatives, whose district is wholly contained in one county, file with the county clerk. Those 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, www.Michigan/sos. Candidates who fail to comply with filing requirements are ineligible to appear on the ballot.

The Michigan Department of State Bureau of Elections is in the process of moving. It will be at 208 N. Capitol Ave. in Lansing until March 29. On March 30, it moves to the state Treasury Building, first floor, 430 W. Allegan St., Lansing.

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