Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Minnesota

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Minnesota, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Minnesota. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2024 U.S. Congress elections and Minnesota elections, 2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Minnesota in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Minnesota U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2,000 N/A $400.00 Fixed number 6/4/2024 Source
Minnesota U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/4/2024 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Minnesota in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Minnesota U.S. House Ballot-qualified party[1] 1,000 $300.00 6/4/2024 Source
Minnesota U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 6/4/2024 Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2022

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2022 U.S. Congress elections and Minnesota elections, 2022

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Minnesota in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Minnesota U.S. House Ballot-qualified party[2] 1,000 $300.00 5/31/2022 Source
Minnesota U.S. House Unaffiliated 1,000 N/A 5/31/2022 Source

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Minnesota in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
Minnesota Governor Democratic or Republican 2,000 $300.00 5/31/2022 Source Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee.
Minnesota Governor Unaffiliated 2,000 N/A 5/31/2022 Source

2020

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2020 U.S. Congress elections and Minnesota elections, 2020

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Minnesota in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Minnesota U.S. Senate Major party N/A N/A $400.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 2,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Minnesota in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Minnesota 1st Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 2nd Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 3rd Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 4th Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 5th Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 6th Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 7th Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 8th Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source

State House

The table below details filing requirements for Minnesota House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Minnesota House of Representatives All candidates N/A $100.00 6/2/2020 Source

State Senate

The table below details filing requirements for Minnesota State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Minnesota State Senate All candidates N/A $100.00 6/2/2020 Source

2018

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2018 U.S. Congress elections and Minnesota elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

June 5, 2018

2016

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2016 U.S. Congress elections and Minnesota elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Minnesota in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
February 1, 2016 Campaign finance 2015 year-end report of receipts and expenditures due
May 17, 2016 Ballot access Candidate filing period opens
May 31, 2016 Ballot access Candidate filing period closes
July 25, 2016 Campaign finance First report of receipts and expenditures due (covering January 1 through July 18)
August 9, 2016 Election date Primary election
October 31, 2016 Campaign finance Second report of receipts and expenditures due (covering January 1 through November 24)
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
January 31, 2017 Campaign finance 2016 year-end report of receipts and expenditures due
Sources: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Filing Periods," accessed June 12, 2015
Minnesota Votes, "2016 Election Dates," accessed June 12, 2015
Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, "2016 Disclosure Calendar," accessed October 28, 2015

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

The first page of Minnesota's affidavit of candidacy, 2013

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Chapter 204B. Elections; General Provisions"

For major party candidates

A major party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit must state the following, regardless of the office being sought:[4][5]

  • that the candidate is an eligible voter
  • that the candidate has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any other office at the same primary or next ensuing general election
  • that the candidate is 21 years old, or will be at the time he or she assumes office, and that the candidate will maintain a residence in the district in which he or she is seeking election for 30 days prior to the general election
  • that the candidate's name as written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by which he or she is commonly known in the community

The candidate must also include his or her address and telephone number. The candidate must indicate on the affidavit that he or she has either participated in the party's most recent precinct caucus or intends to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next ensuing general election. The affidavit includes office-specific information, as well.[4][5]

In addition the affidavit of candidacy, a major party candidate must either pay a filing fee or submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee. Filing fees vary according to the office being sought and are as follows:[5][6]

Filing fees
Office Filing fee
Governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state or United States Representative $300
United States Senator $400
State legislature $100

If a candidate elects to submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee, the petition must meet the following signature requirements:[5][6]

Signature requirements for petitions in lieu of filing fees
Office Required signatures
Governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state or United States Senator 2,000
United States Representative 1,000
State legislature 500

Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[5][7]

For minor party and independent candidates

A minor party or independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy meeting the same specifications as that filed by a major party candidate. Instead of including the name of his or her political party, an independent candidate may designate a non-recognized party or political principle, provided that the designation is made in three words or less and does not suggest similarity with an existing recognized party.[4][8]

A minor party or independent candidate must also submit a nominating petition. For federal or statewide offices, signatures must equal either 1 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the state at the last preceding state general election, or 2,000, whichever is less. For congressional office, signatures must equal either 5 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the district at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less. For state legislative office, signatures must equal either 10 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the legislative district at the last preceding state general election, or 500, whichever is less.[8][9][10]

In addition to the affidavit of candidacy and nominating petition, a minor party or independent candidate is liable for the same filing fee as a major party candidate. A nominating petition may be used in lieu of paying the filing fee, but the petition must include a prominent statement informing signers that the petition will be used in this way.[6][8]

Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[7][8]

For write-in candidates

A write-in candidate must file a written request in order to have his or her votes tallied. Such requests must be filed no later than the seventh day before the general election. Write-in candidates for federal office must submit their requests to the Minnesota Secretary of State. A write-in candidate for state-level office may submit the request to the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[7]

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

In some cases, candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Minnesota.

Sample forms for all petitions are available through the secretary of state's website.

Format requirements

All petitions must be prepared in accordance with the following requirements:[11]

  • Petitions must be printed on paper measuring no more than 8.5 inches wide by 14 inches long. The signer's oath and the signature lines must appear on the same side of the paper.
  • Petition language must be printed in type no smaller than 10-point.
  • Each page of a petition must contain a short title describing the petition's purpose.
    • Each page of a nominating petition or a petition submitted in lieu of filing fees must state the office being sought, the candidate's name and residential address, and the candidate's political party or political principle expressed in no more than three words (the word "nonpartisan" may not be used, but the word "independent" may be).[12]
  • Each page of a petition must contain a signer's oath printed in boldface type no smaller than 12-point. If an oath is not specified by statute, the following must be used: "I swear (or affirm) that I know the contents and purpose of this petition and that I signed this petition only once and of my own free will."
    • Nominating petitions must include the following oath: "I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I know the contents and purpose of this petition, that I do not intend to vote at the primary election for the office for which this nominating petition is made, and that I signed the petition of my own free will."[12]
  • Each page of a petition must include the following statement immediately above the signature lines: "All information must be filled in by person(s) signing the petition unless disability prevents the person(s) from doing so."
  • Each page of a petition must include no more than 10 signature lines. Signature lines must be consecutively numbered and must include space for inclusion of the date of the signature, the signer's year of birth, printed name, and residential address.
  • Each page of a petition must include the following statement: "All information on this petition is subject to public inspection."

Signature requirements

The person signing a petition must complete the signature date, name, year of birth, and residential address lines on the petition. A person who is physically unable to complete the petition fields may ask another person for assistance.[13]

Only individuals who are eligible to vote for the candidate being nominated may sign a nominating petition or a petition submitted in lieu of filing fees. Petitions may only be signed during the candidate filing period. Signatures do not have to be notarized or certified.[12][14]

Circulation requirements

The relevant statutes and administrative rules do not stipulate requirements that petition circulators must meet.[15]


Election administration agencies

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Minnesota can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Minnesota County Election Officials

Click here for a list

Minnesota Secretary of State

Veterans Service Building, Suite 210
20 W 12th St
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
Phone: 651-215-1440
Toll free: 1-877-600-8683
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sos.state.mn.us

Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board

190 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1603
Phone: 651-539-1180
Toll free: 800-657-3889
Fax: 651-539-1196
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://cfb.mn.gov

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.eac.gov


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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Term limits

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

Minnesota does not place term limits on state executives.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

Minnesota does not place term limits on state legislators.

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from Minnesota and List of United States Senators from Minnesota

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Minnesota.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Minnesota
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 4 6
Republican 0 4 4
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Minnesota.

Minnesota State Senate

Party As of November 2024
     Democratic Party 34
     Republican Party 33
     Independent 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 67

Minnesota House of Representatives

Party As of November 2024
     Democratic Party 68
     Republican Party 64
     Independent 0
     Vacancies 2
Total 134

Related legislation

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The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in Minnesota. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
  2. ↑ Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
  3. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Filing Periods," accessed November 13, 2013
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.06," accessed March 4, 2014
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Guide for Major Party or Nonpartisan Candidates," accessed March 4, 2014
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.11," accessed March 4, 2014
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.09," accessed March 4, 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Guide for Minor Party or Independent Candidates," accessed March 4, 2018
  9. ↑ 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.08," accessed March 4, 2014
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mnresults
  11. ↑ Minnesota Administrative Rules, "Section 8205.1010," accessed March 4, 2014
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "204B.07 Nominating Petitions," accessed March 3, 2014
  13. ↑ Minnesota Administrative Rules, "Section 8205.1030," accessed March 4, 2014
  14. ↑ 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.08," accessed March 4, 2014
  15. ↑ Minnesota Administrative Rules, "Section 8205.1020," accessed March 4, 2014
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