How will my name appear on the ballot?

Your name will appear exactly as you write it on your Affidavit of Candidacy. This includes any special characters and capitalizations. It should be your true name or the name you commonly and generally use in the community.

Your name on the ballot may not give you an advantage over an opponent. Per M.S. 204B.35, subd. 2, this includes words describing your occupation, qualifications, principles, or opinions.

What if I don't live in the district I'm running for when I file?

To run for a specific office, you must live in the corresponding election district for at least 30 days before the General Election. When you sign your Affidavit of Candidacy, you will affirm that you currently live there or will be living there at least 30 days before the election.

Members of the public may file legal challenges if this is found to be untrue.

Can I list a political party affiliation or principle?

All City and School Board offices are nonpartisan. Your name will be on the ballot without partisan designation.

However, if you are running for Mayor or City Council (only), the Minneapolis City Charter allows you to list up to three words for a political party or principle. This information comes from your Affidavit of Candidacy.

Rules for your three-word political party or principle:

• Providing one is not required, but a member of the public could challenge this.
• You may not use the word “endorsed” or anything frivolous, obscene, or discriminatory.
• Political Party names may not be combined and only one can be provided.
• Political Party names may not be shortened or abbreviated. For example, you must write out Republican (not GOP) or Democratic-Farmer-Labor (not DFL).

How do I file a petition instead of paying the filing fee?

Petitions need to meet all legal requirements in order to be accepted by the filing officer. This includes being on no larger than legal size paper. See all legal petition requirements from the Minnesota Secretary of State. Remember, Minneapolis has specific signature requirements depending on which office you are running for. Contact your legal counsel if you have additional questions.

You will turn in all completed petition pages to the filing officer when completing the Affidavit of Candidacy. The official will confirm all pages meet legal requirements and provide a receipt to show it has been received.

Within 24 hours of receiving the petition, a team of election officials will verify the total number of eligible and non-eligible voter signatures according to Minnesota Rules 8205.1050 and 8205.1010.

If the petition is not accepted, you may collect additional signatures to submit before the filing deadline or pay the filing fee instead.

Your Affidavit of Candidacy is officially filed after the petition verification process has been completed and accepted.

Can I run for office if I'm going to be out of state during the filing period?

Yes. Minnesota election law says you can submit your filing paperwork and filing fee/petition within the seven days prior to being out of the state. You must also submit in writing why you are unable file during the filing period. 

You may file in person at our office during regular business hours. 

Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services
980 E. Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Can I withdraw from the race after filing?

If you submit an Affidavit of Withdrawal before the deadline, your name will not be placed on the ballot. The withdrawal deadline is the Thursday two days after the end of filing at 5 p.m.

If the withdrawal deadline has passed, your name will still appear on the ballot even if you withdraw. Minnesota election law doesn’t allow ballots to be changed after printing.

The filing fee cannot be returned when you withdraw from the race.