Candidate Filing Information

City Commission Candidates

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DATE OF ELECTION:

​Tuesday, November 3, 2026​

SEATS AVAILABLE:

​Nine (9) City Commission Members - One (1) Mayor; Five (5) Ward and Three (3) At-Large positions available​

REQUIREMENTS:

​Mayor and At Large Candidates: Must be a registered elector in the City or any annexed area.

Ward Candidates: Must be a registered elector in the City or any annexed area and reside in the ward for which that person is a candidate.​

PETITION AVAILABILITY: 

​June 1, 2026​

PETITION FILING DEADLINE: 

(Petition & Affidavit of Identity)

​4:00 pm, July 21, 2026​

PETITION SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ward Candidates: Not less than 50 valid signatures nor more than 75 valid signatures of registered voters in the City.
Mayor and At Large Candidates: Not less than 100 valid signatures nor more than 150 valid signatures of registered voters in the City.

 

*No elector shall sign petitions of more than the number of candidates for At-Large City Commissioners to be elected. No elector shall sign the petition of more than one Mayor and one Ward Commissioner candidate, which petition must be for the ward where the signing elector resides.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND INFORMATION:

​​​A candidate must form a committee within 10 calendar days of accepting your first contribution or making an expenditure and then, within an additional 10 calendar days, you must register the committee by filing a Statement of Organization with the ​Calhoun County Clerk's Office​. ​

 

​More information on forming and registering a candidate committee can be found on the Michigan Bureau of Elections ​website​

 

​Additional forms and filing information, including campaign finance information can be found on the Michigan Department of State website.

 

The City Charter currently provides for a Commission consisting of one Mayor, three At-large and five Ward Commissioners, with the Vice Mayor selected by City Commission. 

 

On March 10, 2020 a charter amendment ballot proposal was approved by the voters to allow for the direct election of the Mayor as a separate office. 

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INTERESTED IN FILING FOR OFFICE?

Filing Requirements

All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity form when filing or they are ineligible to appear on the ballot (MCL 168.558). These forms have a notary requirement at the bottom, so they should only be signed in the presence of a Notary Public. Notary services are available at the Clerk’s office at no charge for Candidates.

A Statement of Organization must be filed with the Calhoun County Clerk within 10 days of becoming a candidate. A complete set of Campaign Finance reporting forms and deadlines can be found at www.calhouncountymi.gov or the State of Michigan/ Elections in Michigan/ Information for Candidates at www.michigan.gov.

A packet of information and nominating petition forms can be picked up in person at the Clerk’s Office between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday starting June 1, 2026. Please call the Clerk at 269-966-3348 for more information.

Offices That File With The City of Battle Creek Clerk's Office

Battle Creek City Commission

For an individual to be eligible for office they must be a registered and qualified elector in the City or any annexed area and must reside in the ward (if running for Ward Commissioner) for which that person is a candidate by the filing deadline (City Charter Section 2.3).  

Nominating petitions for City Commission must contain the following number of signatures:

  • Ward Candidate -  a minimum of 50 signatures. No more than 75 signatures will be accepted. Only registered and qualified electors of the Ward can sign petitions.
  • At-Large Candidate - a minimum of 100 signatures. No more than 150 signatures will be accepted.  Only registered and qualified electors of the City of Battle Creek can sign petitions.
  • Mayor Candidate - a minimum of 100 signatures. No more than 150 signatures will be accepted. Only registered and qualified electors of the City of Battle Creek can sign petitions.

Lakeview School District Board

A Lakeview School District resident who wishes to run for a school board position must file an Affidavit of Identity and Nominating Petitions (minimum of 40 signatures but no more than 100 signatures) or $100 filing fee with the City of Battle Creek Clerk by 4 pm July 21, 2026. 

Offices That File With Other Officials

Each of these offices have additional filing requirements. Anyone interested in filing for these offices should contact the appropriate filing officials

Precinct Delegate

A Battle Creek resident who wishes to seek a Precinct Delegate position must file an Affidavit of Identity with the Calhoun County Clerk's Office by 4 pm May 5, 2026. Petition signatures are not required. If the filing deadline has passed, an individual may file a Declaration of Intent - Write-In with the Calhoun County Clerk by 4 pm on the Friday preceding the August primary or in the precinct on Election Day. 

School District Boards

Candidates in any other school district other than Lakeview School District, must file an Affidavit of Identity and Nominating Petitions or $100 filing fee with the Calhoun County Clerk's Office.