File for office

Special Election – May 9, 2023

Brooklyn Park – Special Primary for Council Member West District

Special Election – August 8, 2023

Brooklyn Park – Special Election for Council Member West District

General election – November 7, 2023

City Offices

• Bloomington – Mayor, Council Member at Large, Council Member Districts I, II, III and IV, and Special Election for Council Member at Large (RCV)
• Golden Valley – Mayor and 2 Council Members
• Hopkins – Mayor and 2 Council Members
• Minneapolis – Council Member Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (RCV)
• Minnetonka – Council Member Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 (RCV) 
• St Anthony – Mayor and 2 Council Members
• St Louis Park – Mayor, Council Members at Large A and B (RCV)

School District Offices

• ISD 11 Anoka Hennepin – School Board Member District 5
• ISD 270 Hopkins – 4 School Board Members 
• ISD 271 Bloomington – 3 School Board Members
• ISD 273 Edina – 4 School Board Members
• ISD 276 Minnetonka – 4 School Board Members
• ISD 277 Westonka – 4 School Board Members
• ISD 280 Richfield – 3 School Board Members
• ISD 282 St Anthony – 3 School Board Members
• ISD 283 St Louis Park – 4 School Board Members
• ISD 284 Wayzata – 4 School Board Members

Complete the affidavit of candidacy

In order to file for office, you need to fill out an affidavit of candidacy (PDF, 1MB). See the Filing process section of this page to learn where to file the affidavit.

Complete a nominating petition

If you are running as a member of a major political party or for a nonpartisan office, you do not need to file a nominating petition.

If you are running for a partisan office but not as a member of a major political party, then you must file a nominating petition (PDF, 1MB) with the required number of signatures. The number of signatures you need depends on what office you are running for. For county or legislative offices, you need 500 signatures. The signatures must be of eligible voters who live in the district, and you must obtain the signatures during the filing period.

Who files with Hennepin County

Candidates for:

• County office
• State or judicial office and you reside in Hennepin County

2023 filing dates

Local offices with a potential primary

• Filing opens – May 16
• Filing closes – May 30 at 5 p.m.
• Withdrawal period ends – June 1 at 5 p.m.

Local offices without a primary

• Filing opens – August 1
• Filing closes – August 15 at 5 p.m.
• Withdrawal period ends – August 17 at 5 p.m.

Fee information

When you file, submit the one of the following with the affidavit:

• Filing fee
• Petition in place of filing fee

If you need to file a nominating petition and a petition in place of a filing fee, you can use a combined nominating petition and petition in place of filing fee (PDF, 1MB).

Where to file

• Federal offices – the Minnesota Secretary of State
• State and judicial offices – either the Minnesota Secretary of State or the county in which you reside
• County offices – Hennepin County elections, Government Center (skyway level)
• City offices – the city clerk
• School district offices – the school district clerk

Filing process by mail

1. Complete the affidavit of candidacy (PDF, 1MB).
2. Determine appropriate filing fee.
3. Submit affidavit and payment (check made out to Hennepin County Treasurer). Mail to:
   
   Hennepin County Elections
   Hennepin County Government Center
   300 S. 6th Street MC 012
   Minneapolis, MN 55487-0012


4. Affidavit and payment must be received during the candidate file dates.
5. Please include email address on the affidavit, confirmation of filing will be emailed.
6. Candidate Filing Packet will be mailed to the campaign or residential address.

All candidates

• Must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Must have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• Must be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office
• Must have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election

Governor or Lieutenant Governor

• Must have participated in the party's most recent precinct caucuses, or intend to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next general election
• Must be at least 25 years old upon assuming office
• Must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election

State Judicial Officers

• Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota

State Senator or Representative

• Must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election
• Must be a resident of their district for at least six months before the general election

County Sheriff

• Must be licensed as a peace officer in Minnesota

Holding two offices at the same time

• Minnesota Statutes provide that one person cannot hold certain combinations of offices at the same time, with very few exceptions.