Run for Office

Candidate filing dates f​or 2023

Candidate filing for the Township Election begins Tuesday, Jan. 3 and goes through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Candidate filing for the Empire Township Special Election begins Tuesday, Jan. 17 and goes through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Candidate filing for the State General Election begins Tuesday, Aug. 1 and goes through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. ​​

Candidates may file in one of two ways:

1. Mail a completed, notarized Affidavit of Candidacy and the filing fee (check) to your local township or school district office.
   
2. In person, complete an Affidavit of Candidacy and pay the filing fee at your local township or school district office.
   

There are different filing requirements, dates and locations depending on the political office you are running for.

Requirements

To run for office, you must meet all of these requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States        
• Be an eligible voter       
• Pay all filing fees  or present a Petition in Place of Filing Fee. For more information, see the MNvotes.org website.
• Complete an Affidavit of Candidacy
• Complete and file Campaign Finance Reports      

For a complete list of requirements by office, visit the MNvotes.org website.        

Filing Locations

Where you file for office depends on the level of government:

Municipal offices: The city or town hall of the municipality.

School district offices: The administrative building for the school district.

County offices: Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings

State legislature, executive or judicial offices: Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings (if you reside in Dakota County) or the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, 180 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul.

Federal offices: Office of Minnesota Secretary of State, 180 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul.