Running for Office
Nominating Petitions
Nominating petitions are available from election officials on the county and local levels. Petition sheets may be purchased from commercial suppliers or the candidate may make photo copies if they are exactly the same as the originals.
Petitions are filed with the following official:
| Office | District | Submit Petitions to: |
|---|---|---|
| Senate | District 21, 59 or 78 | Michigan Secretary of State |
| House | District 6 | Michigan Secretary of State |
| County Commissioner | District 1 through 8 | Cass County Clerk |
| Prosecuting Attorney | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
| Sheriff | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
| Clerk/Register of Deeds | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
| Treasurer | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
| Drain Commissioner | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
| Probate Court Judge | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
| District Court Judge | N/A | Michigan Secretary of State |
| Circuit Court Judge | N/A | Michigan Secretary of State |
| City, Township or Village Officials | N/A | Local Clerk |
| Public Schools | N/A | Cass County Clerk |
Filing
Petitions are filed on or before 4 p.m. on the 12th Tuesday preceding the August Primary Election for state offices, county offices and township offices. Petitions for school board candidates are filed on or before 4 p.m. on the 9th Monday before the school election.
Partisan candidates for State Senator, State Representative, County Offices and County Commission Districts may file a $100 fee in lieu of nominating petitions.
The filing fee is deposited in the general fund of the county and is refunded to candidates who are nominated.
Write-In Candidates
Candidates who wish to run as a write-in candidate must file a Declaration of Intent with the appropriate filing official by 4 p.m. on the Friday preceding the election.