Filing for U.S. Senator

Two U.S. Senators represent the state of Minnesota in the upper body of the U.S. Congress, the Senate. U.S. Senators have six-year terms that are staggered. The next elections for Minnesota's U.S. Senators are scheduled for 2026 and 2030.

Qualifications

Candidates for U.S. Senator must:

• be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• be an inhabitant of Minnesota when elected
• be at least 30 years old upon assuming office
• be a citizen of the United States at least nine years upon assuming office

How to File

Major political party candidates

Candidates of major political parties must submit the affidavit of candidacy and $400 filing fee to the Secretary of State from May 19, 2026 to June 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

• Major party candidates must have participated in that party's most recent precinct caucus or intend to vote for a majority of that party's candidates at the next general election (Minn. Stat. 204B.06, subd. 2)
• Instead of paying the filing fee, candidates may submit a Petition in Place of Filing Fee. The petition requires at least 2,000 signatures.

Non-major political party candidates

Candidates of minor political parties, other political parties, or independent candidates must submit the affidavit of candidacy and a nominating petition (see below) to the Secretary of State from May 19, 2026 to June 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

• Most candidates use the Combined Nominating Petition and Petition in Place of Filing Fee. The petition requires at least 2,000 signatures. All signatures must be obtained during the filing period.
• Alternatively, candidates could submit the Nominating Petition and pay the $400 filing fee. The petition requires at least 2,000 signatures. All signatures must be obtained during the filing period.

Withdrawal

A candidate who has filed for office may remove their name from the ballot by filing an affidavit of withdrawal. Candidates may withdraw within the filing period, or by 5:00 p.m. within two days of the end of the filing period. The affidavit of withdrawal is filed with the Secretary of State.

Major party candidates may withdraw after this deadline in some cases for a catastrophic illness if:

• The candidate has been diagnosed with a catastrophic illness that will permanently and continuously incapacitate the candidate and prevent the candidate from performing the duties of the office; and
• The candidate or the candidate’s legal guardian files a certificate signed by at least 2 licensed physicians verifying that the illness meets the requirements. (Minn. Stat. 204B.13, subd. 1 (b))

Write-In Candidates

A write-in candidate for U.S. Senator must file a written request for their votes to be counted. This request must be filed with the Office of the Secretary of State not more than 84 days before the primary and no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 19th day before the general election.