Candidate Filing: What Minnesota Cities Need to Know

May 20, 2026

Filing for city office can raise a lot of practical — and sometimes surprising — questions. From eligibility requirements to potential conflicts of interest, city clerks and staff are often the first stop for candidates navigating the process.

Below is a guide to some of the most common candidate filing questions cities receive — and how to handle them.

When is the candidate filing period?

For 2026 local elections, filing periods depend on whether the jurisdiction holds a primary election:

Filing period for jurisdictions with primary elections: May 19 – June 2
Filing period for jurisdictions without primary elections: July 14 – July 28

Municipal candidates must file with their municipal clerk.

Who can run for city office?

In general, any individual who is eligible to hold elective office may run. When filing, candidates sign an affidavit of candidacy affirming they meet all legal qualifications.

A legislative change this year requires candidates to declare if they want their home address to be public or private information. The new affidavit of candidacy form is available on the Secretary of State’s website linked below. If posting completed affidavits online, cities should only include the first page of the affidavit and keep the address of residency form as private data.

Questions often come up about specific situations such as a fire chief running for council, a spouse of a city official filing, or someone who recently resigned from office. These scenarios don’t automatically disqualify a candidate. However, conflicts of interest or incompatible offices may need to be addressed if the individual is elected.

Can family members serve together?

Yes. Family members can serve in the same city government, including on the city council or in a mix of elected and staff roles.

That said, these situations can create potential conflicts of interest and increased risk of open meeting law violations.

Cities should evaluate concerns on a case-by-case basis and consult their city attorney when needed.

What are the qualifications for city office?

To be eligible for city office in Minnesota, a candidate must:

Be eligible to vote
Be at least 21 years old when taking office
Have lived in the city for at least 30 days before the general election

There are also important restrictions:

A mayor or council member cannot be a full-time permanent city employee
Individuals convicted of a felony (without restored civil rights) cannot serve
Individuals under certain guardianships or deemed legally incompetent cannot serve

What makes two positions incompatible?

Some roles are considered legally incompatible, meaning one person cannot hold both at the same time. Examples include:

Mayor and council member
Council member and city attorney
Council member and city treasurer
Council member and school board member
Council member and municipal liquor store manager

More broadly, positions may be incompatible if one role:

Hires or appoints the other
Sets the other’s salary
Reviews or approves the other’s work

If a candidate is elected to an incompatible position, they must choose which role to keep.

What is the filing officer responsible for verifying?

The filing officer’s role is limited but still important. They must verify that the candidate’s proof of residence matches the address on the affidavit. If the address does not match, the filing must not be accepted.

They are not required to verify other qualifications, but should:

Ensure the form is complete
Give candidates time to read the affidavit carefully
Remind candidates that signing the affidavit is a legal oath

Where can cities find more information?

For more detailed guidance, cities can review:

When questions arise, cities don’t have to navigate them alone. Partnering with your city attorney and using trusted state and League resources can help ensure a smooth and legally sound filing process.