Candidates must file petitions by election-specific deadlines

Municipal candidates must file a nominating petition with the municipal finance officer by the applicable deadline. This applies to candidates for elective municipal office and requires the petition to use the state-prescribed form and identify the candidate, addresses, and office sought. The petition must meet the filing and signature rules in the election laws. A municipal finance officer or clerk must verify the required signatures and the candidate's voter registration before the filing counts as a nomination. In a second-class or third-class municipality, a signer may use a post office box instead of a street address. For a June election, filing is due by 5 p.m. local time on the third Tuesday of March. For a November election, filing is due by 5 p.m. local time on the third Tuesday of August.

Candidates for covered offices must file nominating petitions before appearing on a political party's primary ballot, and party delegate slates must file with the secretary of state. The primary-ballot rule covers candidates for offices other than president, with petitions filed with the secretary of state for legislative, judicial, and multi-county offices and with the county auditor for other county offices. Delegate slates must be grouped on one petition and state their collective presidential preference, no preference, or uncommitted status. A candidate may withdraw by submitting a written request under oath to the officer who received the petition. A withdrawn name may not appear on the primary ballot. No candidate may appear on more than one national-convention delegate slate. Petitions generally must be filed after December 31 and before 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of March before the primary. Delegate-slate petitions must be filed after December 31 and before 5 p.m. Central time on that same March deadline.

School-board candidates must file petitions and meet residency, signature, and declaration requirements before nomination. This applies to candidates for school-board membership who live and are registered voters in the school district. A petition needs at least 20 district voters, or 20 voters from the candidate's representation area when the district uses areas. The candidate must sign a formal declaration before circulating the petition. The candidate and petition circulator must provide the required residence information, and the circulator must verify the petition under oath. The business manager must verify residency and the required signatures. A candidate may withdraw by written request under oath. If a withdrawal or death leaves no more petitions than vacancies, the contest is not placed on the ballot and the unopposed candidate receives a certificate of election. For a June election, filing is due before 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of March, and petitions may not circulate before January 1. For a November election, filing is due before 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of August, and circulation may not begin before June 1.