Candidate Filing Location

Candidates file for office with a filing officer. There are different filing officers for each type of office being sought.

Federal Offices

Candidates for President and Vice-President, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Representative must file with the Secretary of State.

State Offices

Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor, Secretary of State, State Senator, State Representative, and any Judicial office may file with the Secretary of State, or the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.

Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor file as a team with the same filing officer. If they both reside in the same county, they may file as a team either with the county auditor or with the Secretary of State. If the candidates reside in different counties, they must file with the Secretary of State.

County Offices

Candidates for County Commissioner, County Auditor, County Treasurer, County Recorder, County Sheriff, County Attorney, Soil and Water Supervisor, and other elected county offices must file with the county auditor.

City Offices

Candidates for Mayor, Council Member, and other elected city offices must file with the city clerk.

Township Offices

Candidates for Town Clerk, Town Supervisor, Town Treasurer, and other elected township offices must file with the town clerk.

School District Offices

Candidates for School Board Member must file with the school district clerk.

Special District Offices

Candidates for special districts such as hospital or park districts should contact the district’s office for information on the filing process.