Within 14 days of raising or spending more than $750, you must submit an initial campaign finance report to Minneapolis Elections, regardless of whether you've filed for office yet.

Learn more about reporting requirements

Please bring one of the following documents when you come to file at our office:

• Valid Minnesota Driver's license, Minnesota identification card, or receipt issued with current address
• Tribal ID with address, signature, and picture of the individual

If you do not have one of the above documents, bring both an approved photo ID and an approved document of residency from the following list:

Approved Photo IDs:

• Driver's license, state ID or learner’s permit issued by any state
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Military or Veteran ID
• Tribal ID with name, signature and photo
• Minnesota university, college or technical college ID
• Minnesota high school ID

Approved Documents of Residency:

• Bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the beginning of the candidate filing period:

  • Phone, TV or internet
  • Solid waste, sewer, electric, gas or water
  • Banking or credit card
  • Rent or mortgage
• Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
• Current student fee statement

You must come to our office to complete paperwork with the filing official. Each candidate must file an Affidavit of Candidacy as well some some other paperwork.  All paperwork will be provided to you at the time of filing.

• You will receive a copy of the Candidate Information Packet.
• Be prepared to wait if other candidates have come to file at the same time, especially the first or last day of filing

When to file

The candidate filing period for the 2026 General Election is May 19 - June 2, 2026.

Where to file

2026 Candidate Filing is located at the Elections & Voter Services office: 980 E Hennepin Ave.

What to bring when you file:

• Your documentation from Step 1
• One of the following: 
  • Cash or check to pay the filing fee
  • A petition with signatures from eligible voters

View filing fees and signature requirements

Party or Principle

If you are running for Mayor or City Council, you can provide up to a 3-word statement that will appear below your name on the ballot. It can be either:

• The name of a major or minor Minnesota party
• Up to a 3 word “principle” of your own choosing

The party or principle cannot:

• Use abbreviations
• List multiple parties
• List a party and a principle
• Use the word “endorse” in any form
• Give a competitive advantage

Candidates for Park Board, School Board or Board of Estimate & Taxation cannot use a party or principle. Minneapolis Municipal Code Art. III § 3.1 (d) (1)

Withdraw from office

If you wish to withdraw after filing, the withdrawal deadline for the 2026 election is Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Contact our office and we will assist with this process. Filing fees cannot be refunded. 

When completing paperwork with the filing officer, you must either:

• Pay the filing fee, or;
• File a petition with signatures from eligible voters

View filing fees and signature requirements

After having your name added to the ballot, you will need to complete a Statement of Economic Interest (SEI). If you've raised or spent more than $750, you will also need to complete campaign finance reports.  

Statement of Economic Interest

This form covers your personal financial information. 

• Submit it within 14 days of the end of the candidate filing period on the campaign finance portal. 
• Complete it annually after being elected, while in office.
• For more information on submitting SEIs through the campaign finance portal see our Candidate SEI Filer Guide.

Campaign Finance Reports

Candidates who have raised or spent more than $750 must submit the reports below. Learn more about campaign finance report requirements. 

• Pre-Primary Report
• Pre-General Report
• Certification of Filing
• Post-General Report
• Annual Report
• Final Report

For more information on submitting campaign finance reports through our campaign finance portal see our Campaign Finance Filer Guide.