Running for Office in Ottawa County
All candidates must be registered and qualified electors of the districts in which they are seeking office.
Step 1: Which office are you running for?
The complete list of offices that will appear on the ballot in 2024 can be found here.
If you are unsure of which precinct you live in, visit Michigan.gov/vote. This website allows you to view your voter registration status, sample ballot, polling location, and voting precinct.
Step 2: Where do I file for office?
2024 Elections
Candidates for local offices file with the Local Clerk. Candidates for Intermediate School Board and County-wide positions file at the Ottawa County Clerk's Office at 12220 Fillmore St. West Olive, MI 49460.
Information about offices and positions available can be found at miottawa.org/elections
Step 3: I'm running for office and I file with a filing official in Ottawa County. What forms and information do I need?
Each office has different filing requirements. This packet contains all of the required documentation to file for the office listed on the envelope.
For more information about running for office, or questions regarding elections in general, please contact the Elections Team by phone at 616-994-4535 or by email at elections@miottawa.org.
Office Deadlines & Requirements 2024
- Michigan State
Senator
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity in duplicate. This form must be submitted to the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections by Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with the Bureau of Elections until Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition or Filing Fee Requirement
All candidates must submit either petition signatures or a filing fee in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district.
All State Senator candidates for Districts 30, 31 and 33 which contain part of Ottawa County must collect a minimum of 500 signatures to be placed on the ballot. A filing fee of $100 can be paid in lieu of submitting petition signatures. This fee is paid to the Michigan Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections.
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
All state-level candidates must file campaign finance forms with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections.
Positions Available
Each State Senate District elects one member to the state legislature. All available positions that contain a part of Ottawa County are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
- Michigan State
Representative
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates, with the exception of candidates running in District 85, must submit an Affidavit of Identity in duplicate. This form must be submitted to the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections by Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with the Bureau of Elections until Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
All candidates running in District 85 must submit an Affidavit of Identity. This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates for District 85 may file with our office until Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition or Filing Fee Requirement
All candidates must submit either petition signatures or a filing fee in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district.
All State Representative candidates for Districts 43, 85, 86, 88 and 89 which contain part of Ottawa County must collect a minimum of 200 signatures to be placed on the ballot. A filing fee of $100 can be paid in lieu of submitting petition signatures. This fee is paid to the Michigan Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections for candidates in Districts 43, 86, 88 and 89. This fee is paid to the Ottawa County Clerk's Office for candidates in District 85.
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
All state-level candidates must file campaign finance forms with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections.
Positions Available
Each State Senate District elects one member to the state legislature. All available positions that contain a part of Ottawa County are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2024 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
- Countywide Elected
Officials
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition or Filing Fee Requirement
All candidates must submit either petition signatures or a filing fee in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district.
All Countywide candidates in Ottawa County must collect a minimum of 500 signatures to be placed on the ballot. A filing fee of $100 can be paid in lieu of submitting petition signatures. This fee is paid to the Ottawa County Clerk's Office.
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
All new candidate committees must complete the starred * items on the Statement of Organization form.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
Ottawa County elects one Prosecuting Attorney, one Sheriff, one Clerk / Register of Deeds, one Treasurer, and one Water Resources Commissioner. Each office is elected every four years. All available positions that contain a part of Ottawa County are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
- Ottawa County
Commissioner
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition or Filing Fee Requirement
All candidates must submit either petition signatures or a filing fee in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district.
All County Commission candidates in Ottawa County must collect a minimum of 50 signatures maximum of 100 to be placed on the ballot. A filing fee of $100 can be paid in lieu of submitting petition signatures. This fee is paid to the Ottawa County Clerk's Office.
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
All new candidate committees must complete the starred * items on the Statement of Organization form.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has 11 members, with each member representing one commission district. Each district elects one member every four years. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
- Spring Lake Village
Council President
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to the Spring Lake Township Clerk's Office by Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with the Spring Lake Township Clerk's Office until Friday, October 25, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition Requirement
All candidates must submit petition signatures in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district.
All candidates in Spring Lake Village must collect a minimum of 3 signatures to be placed on the ballot. All petitions must be completed on the proper form, and petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
All new candidate committees must complete the starred * items on the Statement of Organization form.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
Spring Lake Village elects one president every two years. The Village President will be elected during the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
- Spring Lake Village
Council Member
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to the Spring Lake Township Clerk's Office by Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with the Spring Lake Township Clerk's Office until Friday, October 25, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition Requirement
All candidates must submit petition signatures in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters ofthe district.
All candidates in Spring Lake Village must collect a minimum of 3 signatures to be placed on the ballot. All petitions must be completed on the proper form, and petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
All new candidate committees must complete the starred * items on the Statement of Organization form.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
Spring Lake Village elects three council members every two years. Three candidates will be elected during the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
- Local School Board
Member
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. (Please note: Candidates for Allendale Public Schools must file with the Allendale Township Clerk.) Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, October 25, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected. The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition or Filing Fee Requirement
All candidates must submit either petition signatures or a filing fee in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district.
All school board candidates in Ottawa County must collect a minimum of 40 signatures to be placed on the ballot. A filing fee of $100 can be paid in lieu of submitting petition signatures. This fee is paid to the Ottawa County Clerk's Office.
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
Each school district has a different number of positions available, but most school districts in Ottawa County elect two candidates every two years. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
- Precinct Delegate
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit the Precinct Delegate Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, August 2, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition or Filing Fee Requirement
Precinct Delegate candidates do not need to submit petitions or a filing fee to appear on the ballot.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
Precinct Delegate candidates are not required to report campaign finance activity.
Positions Available
Each precinct has a pre-determined number of Precinct Delegate positions available, and those designations are made by the county political parties. Political parties have until April 1, 2024 to submit the number of positions to the County Clerk's Office. Those numbers will be updated on our candidate listing as they are submitted to our office.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
Additional Information
Precinct Delegates have one primary responsibility - they are voting members of the party at the county party's political convention. The convention takes place within the two weeks following the August Primary. However, there are other responsibilities that vary by party or county. Precinct Delegates can:
- Assist parties with voter registration
- Be a liaison between a party and a precinct
- Recruit new party members
- Volunteer for other roles within the party
If you have specific questions about how to get involved with one of our local political parties, you can contact the party chairs:
-
Ottawa County Democratic Party
Larry Jackson
616-848-7580 | ottawadems.com -
Ottawa County Republican Party
Brendan Muir
616-396-3791 | ottawagop.org
- Township Offices
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to the City or Township Clerk's Office by Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with the City or Township Clerk's Office until Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected.
The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition Requirement
All candidates must submit either petition signatures or a $100 filing fee, depending on the office, in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district. Please check with your City or Township Clerk to verify the number of signatures required and if you are eligible to pay the $100 filing fee in lieu of petition signatures.
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
All new candidate committees must complete the starred * items on the Statement of Organization form.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
All positions will be listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
- Local Library Board
Members
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity This form must be submitted to Jamestown Township Clerk's office by Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, October 25, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Write-in candidates must submit a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent form in order to be elected. The Affidavit of Identity must be filled out completely and notarized before your name can appear on the ballot. Our office can notarize this form at no charge. The Affidavit of Identity should be submitted together with the appropriate filing method i.e., petitions, filing fee, or certificate of party nomination and acceptance (if applicable).
Petition Signatures
All candidates must submit petition signatures in order to appear on the ballot. The petition signature requirement is based on the population of the district, and all signatures must be from registered voters of the district. Those who wish to run for the board must obtain petitions with at least six voter signatures in a library district with a population of 10,000 or less. [See, e.g., MCL 397.181 (e) (i).]
All petitions must be completed on the proper form. Additional petition forms can be picked up from our office - Ottawa County Clerk / Register of Deeds, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
As soon as an individual becomes a "candidate" under Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, P.A. 388 of 1976, as amended, he or she has 10 calendar days to form a Candidate Committee. After the committee’s formation date, the candidate has an additional 10 calendar days to register the committee. A candidate registers their Candidate Committee by filing a Statement of Organization form with the County Clerk’s office.
Candidates who expect to spend or receive less than $1,000 may apply for a reporting waiver. Committees with a reporting waiver are not required to submit additional campaign finance documents to our office. However, this waiver is automatically lost if the committee goes over the $1,000 limit. To apply for the waiver, check “Yes” in box 10 on the Statement of Organization.
Candidates without the reporting waiver must submit regular reports to our office. In years where candidates appear on the ballot, they must submit campaign finance statements to our office before and after each election. When a candidate does not appear on the ballot, candidates must submit both Annual and Quarterly statements.
Positions Available
The Patmos Library Board has 6 positions available and elects candidates every four years. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office can be found on the elections page under Upcoming & Past Election Information.
