Running for Office

The Midland City Clerk's Office accepts candidate filings for Midland City Council as well as Midland Public Schools Board of Education. Candidates for Precinct Delegate or Campaign Finance related reports are filed at the Midland County Clerk's Office. 


Running for Midland City Council

One councilmember from each of the City's five Wards is elected each even year in November for a two-year term. 

Upcoming Elections

  • There are currently no scheduled elections for 2023
  • 2024 Election Dates TBD

Primary Election

Pursuant to City Charter (10.3), City Primary Elections for City Council are held only if necessary; if more than two (2) persons seek nomination as candidates to be elected from any one ward of the city. If a primary election is not necessary, candidates shall be placed upon the ballot for the November (General) election.

Qualifications and Eligibility for City Office 

  • Candidate must be an elector in and a taxpayer to the City of Midland;
  • Must be a resident of the City of Midland for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the date of the election;
  • Must be a resident of the Ward from which he/she seeks to be elected prior to the date of election; (Ward Boundary Information - updated 2022)
  • Must not be in default to the City of Midland. (City Charter 3.6)

Filing Petitions

Candidates for City Council may pick up nonpartisan nominating petitions from the City Clerk's Office. Nonpartisan nominating petitions for City Council must contain a minimum number of twenty (20) signatures and no more than forty (40) signatures. Only registered and qualified electors of the City of Midland and the Ward in which the candidate is running can sign petitions for City Council. No person shall sign his name to more than one (1) petition for any one office to be filled at the next regular city election. Where any name appears on more than one (1) petition for the same office, such name shall not be counted upon any petition for that office. (City Charter 10.9)

All candidates must submit two Affidavit of Identity forms (an original and a copy are acceptable). This document requires a notarized signature. If needed a notary is available in the Midland City Clerk’s Office. (Instructions on back of form)

Petitioner must file a “Statement of Organization” with the Midland County Clerk. Forms are available at the Midland County Clerk’s Office, 220 W. Ellsworth, Midland, MI (989-832-6739).

When petition is filed with the City Clerk by someone other than the candidate it must be accompanied by a written consent of the person on whose behalf the petition or petitions were circulated. (Instructions on the Affidavit of Identity form)

Petition Deadlines

Nominating petitions and Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing form  must be received at the Midland City Clerk’s Office, 333 W. Ellsworth, Midland, MI  not later than 4:00 p.m. the fifteenth Tuesday, before the August primary.

A written notice of withdrawal must be served on the City Clerk not later than 4:00 p.m. on the Friday, following the petition filing deadline.

Additional Resources

Running for Midland Public Schools Board of Education

Upcoming Elections

  • There are currently no scheduled elections for 2023
  • 2024 Election Dates TBD

Qualifications and Eligibility for Board of Education

An individual is eligible for election to the Board of Education if the individual is a citizen of the United States and is a qualified and registered elector of the Midland Public School District by the filing deadline.

Filing Petitions

Nominating Petitions and Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing forms are available at the Midland City Clerk’s Office, 333 W. Ellsworth, Midland, MI and at the Midland Public Schools Superintendent’s Office, 600 E Carpenter St., Midland, MI 48640.

All candidates must submit two Affidavit of Identity forms (an original and a copy are acceptable). This document requires a notarized signature. If needed a notary is available in the Midland City Clerk’s Office. (instructions on form)

Petitions must be signed by not less than (40) nor more than (100) registered electors of the District in which such person seeks election and which is listed on the petition sheet (instructions on form) OR candidate may pay a $100 nonrefundable fee to file in lieu of a nominating petition payable at the Midland City Clerk’s Office. 

When petition is filed with the City Clerk by someone other than the candidate it must be accompanied by a written consent of the person on whose behalf the petition or petitions were circulated. 

Petition Deadlines

Nominating petitions and Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing form  or the filing fee must be received at the Midland City Clerk’s Office, 333 W. Ellsworth, Midland, MI  not later than 4:00 p.m. the fifteenth Tuesday before the election date.   

A written notice of withdrawal must be served on the City Clerk not later than 4:00 p.m. on the Friday, following the petition filing deadline.