Minnesota candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines
Official 2026 report due dates for Minnesota state candidates file with Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
1 more deadline follows in this cycle.
Electbase emails you before every deadline — 14, 7, and 2 days out — and stays current as the official schedule changes.
Get deadline remindersIncluded in every Electbase plan · See pricingThis page also covers Minnesota candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in Minnesota: what to file, when, and with whom.
4 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.
These are the campaign-finance report due dates a Minnesota state candidate files with Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is Aug 11, 2026.
| Due | Type | Report | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual/Year-end | MN 2025 Year-End Report Year-end report of receipts and expenditures due January 31 (2026: moved to Monday, February 2), covering calendar year 2025. |
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025 | |
| Pre-election | MN Pre-Primary Report Pre-primary report due July 27; transactions included through July 20. |
Jan 1, 2026 – Jul 20, 2026 | |
| Pre-election | MN Pre-General Report Pre-general report due October 26; transactions included through October 19. Not required of a candidate who lost the primary. |
Jan 1, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026 | |
| Annual/Year-end | MN 2026 Year-End Report Year-end report due February 1, 2027, covering calendar year 2026. |
Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 |
Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.
Good to know
Schedule for candidates for the Legislature (Senate/House) and District Court filing with the Campaign Finance Board. Candidates for CONSTITUTIONAL offices and APPELLATE courts file additional periodic reports (six instead of four). The pre-general report is not required of a candidate who lost the primary. Large contributions received in the pre-primary window (July 21 – August 10) and pre-general window (October 20 – November 2) trigger next-business-day reporting. Local candidates generally file with their county, not the Board.
Minnesota candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.
Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in Minnesota — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from Minnesota Secretary of State. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.
2027
Municipal
Municipal Offices (Mayor, City Council, etc.)
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Files with: Municipal Clerk (of the specific municipality)
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 205: Municipal Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The filing deadline for Municipal Offices (Mayor, City Council, etc.) in Minnesota Municipalities (Odd-Year Election Option) for the 2027 Municipal General Election (Odd-Year Municipalities Only) is not yet a confirmed date (election not yet scheduled); check with Municipal Clerk (of the specific municipality). Source: Minnesota Legislature.
School Board
School Board Member (Districts with Odd-Year Elections)
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Files with: School District Clerk
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 205A: School District Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The filing deadline for School Board Member (Districts with Odd-Year Elections) in Minnesota School Districts (Odd-Year Election Option) for the 2027 School District General Election (Odd-Year Districts Only) is not yet a confirmed date (election not yet scheduled); check with School District Clerk. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
2028
Federal
U.S. President and Vice President
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 207A: Presidential Nomination Primary · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The filing deadline for U.S. President and Vice President in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota Presidential Nomination Primary (Mar 7, 2028) is not yet a confirmed date (official); check with Minnesota Secretary of State. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
U.S. President and Vice President
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Nominating petition
Petition deadline: Aug 22, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Signatures: 2,000 signatures of registered Minnesota voters
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing and Ballot Access · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. President and Vice President in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Aug 22, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
U.S. House of Representatives — All Districts
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Withdrawal deadline: Jun 6, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Fee: $300 or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: 1,000 signatures of registered voters in the congressional district (if petitioning in lieu of fee)
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing; Chapter 204D: State Primary · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota State Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes May 30, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
U.S. House of Representatives — All Districts
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Nominating petition
Petition deadline: May 30, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Signatures: 5% of votes cast for that office in the district at the last general election, or 1,000 signatures, whichever is less
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes May 30, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
U.S. House of Representatives — All Districts
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Write In · Deadline type: Write-in filing
Write-in deadline: Oct 19, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Oct 19, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
State Legislative
Minnesota State Senate — All Districts
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Withdrawal deadline: Jun 6, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Fee: $200 or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: 500 signatures of registered voters in the district (if petitioning in lieu of fee)
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for Minnesota State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota State Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes May 30, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
Minnesota House of Representatives — All Districts
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Withdrawal deadline: Jun 6, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Fee: $100 or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: 300 signatures of registered voters in the district (if petitioning in lieu of fee)
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for Minnesota House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota State Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes May 30, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
Judicial
Minnesota State Judicial Offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District Court)
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Withdrawal deadline: Jun 6, 2028
Files with: Minnesota Secretary of State
Fee: $300 or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: 500 signatures of registered voters in the state (statewide judicial); signatures based on district for district court judges
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing; Minn. Const. Art. VI · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for Minnesota State Judicial Offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District Court) in Statewide for the 2028 Minnesota State Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes May 30, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
County
County Offices (Commissioner, Auditor, Treasurer, Sheriff, Attorney, Recorder, Surveyor, Coroner)
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Withdrawal deadline: Jun 6, 2028
Files with: County Auditor (of the county in which candidate resides)
Fee: $50 or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: 500 signatures of registered voters in the county (if petitioning in lieu of fee)
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B: Candidate Filing · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for County Offices (Commissioner, Auditor, Treasurer, Sheriff, Attorney, Recorder, Surveyor, Coroner) in All Minnesota Counties for the 2028 Minnesota State Primary Election (Aug 8, 2028) closes May 30, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens May 16, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
Municipal
Municipal Offices (Mayor, City Council, City Clerk, Treasurer, etc.)
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Withdrawal deadline: Aug 3, 2028
Files with: Municipal Clerk (of the specific city/municipality)
Fee: $2 to $80 (varies by city class); or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: Based on city class and prior election results; typically 2% of prior votes or 500 signatures, whichever is greater (for home-rule cities)
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 205: Municipal Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for Municipal Offices (Mayor, City Council, City Clerk, Treasurer, etc.) in Minnesota Municipalities (General-Law and Home-Rule Cities) for the 2028 Minnesota Municipal General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Aug 1, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jul 18, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
School Board
School Board Member (Independent School Districts)
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Withdrawal deadline: Aug 3, 2028
Files with: School District Clerk (of the specific school district)
Fee: $2 or nominating petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: 500 signatures or 5% of votes cast in the last school district general election (whichever is less), if petitioning in lieu of fee
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 205A: School District Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for School Board Member (Independent School Districts) in Minnesota School Districts (with Primary Elections) for the 2028 Minnesota School District General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Aug 1, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jul 18, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Minnesota Legislature.
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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.
Last updated August 27, 2026