Michigan's regular election dates in 2027 are Tuesday, May 4, Tuesday, August 3, and Tuesday, November 2. Only cities whose charters set their elections in odd-numbered years hold regular city elections in 2027. School boards, townships, villages and judges are elected in even-numbered years, so they are not on the 2027 ballot. In a city that nominates at an August primary, candidates file an Affidavit of Identity and a nominating petition with the city clerk by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2027. In a city whose charter nominates by petition directly for the November ballot, the deadline is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2027.
We found no 2027 calendar from the Michigan Bureau of Elections, so the 2027 dates below are computed from the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) or the Michigan Constitution and marked "based on state law." Your city charter controls many details, so confirm each date with your city clerk.
For the full process of getting on a city ballot, start with our guide to running for local office in Michigan.
Key dates at a glance
| Date (2027) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 19, 4 p.m. | Filing deadline in a city that elects in May and nominates by petition directly for that election (based on state law) |
| Tuesday, April 20, 4 p.m. | Filing deadline for cities with an August primary (based on state law) |
| Friday, April 23, 4 p.m. | Last day to withdraw after the April 20 deadline (based on state law) |
| Tuesday, April 27 | Last day for written signature challenges after the April 20 deadline (based on state law) |
| Thursday, June 24 | Absent voter ballots available for the August 3 primary (based on state law) |
| Monday, July 19 | Last day to register to vote online or by mail for August 3 (based on state law) |
| Tuesday, July 20, 4 p.m. | Filing deadline for cities that nominate by petition directly for November (based on state law) |
| Friday, July 23, 4 p.m. | Write-in declarations due for August 3 (based on state law) |
| Tuesday, August 3 | Primary in cities that hold one; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 2 | City general election; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
First, check whether your city votes in 2027
We found no statewide list of the cities that elect in odd years. The Bureau of Elections tells election officials to "consult your city charter and any associated resolution to determine your schedule," and candidates should do the same.
- Ask your city clerk. The clerk runs city elections and accepts candidate filings. Michigan.gov/Vote lists your clerk's office.
- Read your charter's election chapter. A city can move its elections to even years by a council resolution (MCL 168.642a), so ask whether one applies to your city.
- Ask which seats are up. A council may have staggered terms, so only some seats may be on the 2027 ballot.
- Ask how your city nominates. The charter decides whether there is an August primary or a petition straight to November, and whether the ballot is partisan or nonpartisan.
Township and village offices are elected in even-numbered years (MCL 168.358, 168.642), so they are not on the 2027 ballot.
Before filing: November and December 2026
Sunday, November 15, 2026, if you plan to text. Campaign Verify, the check campaigns need before texting from a registered number, sets its cycle by request date. Requests made before November 15 expire on Sunday, January 31, 2027. Requests made on or after November 15 last until Wednesday, January 31, 2029.
Pick up your forms. City clerks provide a reasonable number of petition sheets at no charge, and you will also need the Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing form. Ask whether your charter sets a first day for collecting signatures. Beacon's guide to Michigan nominating petitions explains the petition sheet line by line.
January 2027: May election cities only
Tuesday, January 19, 2027, 4 p.m. (based on state law). A few cities may still hold their regular election in May under a resolution adopted years ago (MCL 168.642). If such a charter nominates by petition directly for the May election, the deadline is 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before it (MCL 168.322). Ask your clerk whether this applies to you. If it does not, the April and July deadlines below are the ones that matter.
April 2027: the main filing deadline
Tuesday, April 20, 2027, 4 p.m. (based on state law). For offices filled at the November 2 election, nominating petitions are due by 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary (MCL 168.644f). The same deadline applies where a charter elects any candidate who wins more than 50 percent at the primary (MCL 168.644e). File with your city clerk:
- two copies of your notarized Affidavit of Identity (MCL 168.558), and
- your nominating petition sheets, with at least the minimum number of valid signatures and no more than the maximum.
A filing counts only when every part of it is in the clerk's hands, so a mailed filing that arrives late is late.
Friday, April 23, 2027, 4 p.m. (based on state law). Last day to withdraw, in writing. If you filed for more than one office with overlapping terms, this is also the last day to choose one (MCL 168.558).
Tuesday, April 27, 2027 (based on state law). Last day for written challenges to the signatures on a petition. A challenge must name the specific signatures it disputes.
After the deadline: is there a primary? If no more than twice as many candidates as seats file nonpartisan petitions for an office, that office has no primary and the candidates go straight to November, unless the charter provides otherwise (MCL 168.644f). For example, four candidates for two seats means no primary for those seats.
Tuesday, May 4, 2027. The May regular election date, used by some local governments.
June to August 2027: the run-up to the August 3 primary
Thursday, June 24, 2027 (based on state law). Absent voter ballots become available. Under the Michigan Constitution, any registered voter may vote one without giving a reason during the 40 days before an election.
Monday, July 19, 2027 (based on state law). Last day to register to vote online or by mail, which is the fifteenth day before the election (MCL 168.497).
Tuesday, July 20, 2027 (based on state law). From today through election day, voters can still register in person at their clerk's office with proof of residency. At 4 p.m., petitions are due in cities that nominate directly for the November ballot (MCL 168.644e).
Friday, July 23, 2027, 4 p.m. (based on state law). Write-in candidates for the August 3 primary file a notarized Declaration of Intent with the city clerk by 4 p.m. on the second Friday before the election. Candidates who filed on July 20 may withdraw until 4 p.m. this day.
Tuesday, July 27, 2027 (based on state law). Last day for signature challenges against petitions filed on July 20.
Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, 2027. The clerk must be available at least eight hours on the Saturday or Sunday before the election for absent voter ballots. Ask for the hours.
Early voting. The constitution guarantees early in-person voting for statewide and federal elections. For a local-only election, the clerk may offer it but does not have to, so check before you tell supporters.
Tuesday, August 3, 2027. City primary. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and anyone in line at 8 p.m. may vote (MCL 168.720).
September to November 2027: the city general election
Thursday, September 23, 2027 (based on state law). Absent voter ballots become available for November 2.
Monday, October 18, 2027 (based on state law). Last day to register online or by mail. From Tuesday, October 19 through election day, voters can register in person at the clerk's office with proof of residency.
Friday, October 22, 2027, 4 p.m. (based on state law). Write-in declarations for the November 2 election are due to the city clerk.
Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31, 2027. Weekend absent voter ballot hours at the clerk's office.
Tuesday, November 2, 2027. City general election, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 1, 2028, noon (based on state law). Officers elected at the 2027 November election take office at noon on January 1, unless the city charter sets an earlier date (MCL 168.644h).
Step in the calendar: set up texting before absent voter ballots go out
Absent voter ballots for the August 3 primary become available on June 24, when you will be busy at the doors. Set up texting in the spring so your reminders are ready.
- Form your committee, then check that its filing is online. Campaign Verify costs $95 per two-year cycle and needs a 527 committee (the federal tax status of a political committee), an EIN (the committee's federal tax ID number) and a filing with an election authority that is published online. In Michigan, a city candidate's committee files its statement of organization with the county clerk, not the city clerk, so ask the county clerk whether your filing can be viewed online. If it cannot, contact Campaign Verify Support before you request. Campaign Verify decides eligibility.
- Open your CampaignCNX+ account. CampaignCNX+ files your registration with the carriers (the mobile phone companies), either as 10DLC (the registration for texting from a standard local-style number) or as toll-free. You buy the $95 Campaign Verify token from Campaign Verify, and CampaignCNX+ files it with your registration. 100 free SMS included. Your number is $5 a month.
- Schedule your reminders. Write short texts for June 24, July 19 and August 3, and schedule them only to supporters who agreed in writing to receive your texts. End each person's first message with "Reply STOP to opt out." Texts send only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the recipient's time zone.
Our campaign plan to the August 3, 2027 Michigan city primary turns these dates into a weekly schedule, and how to run for city council in Michigan covers the filing steps for a council seat. For texting across the region, see campaign texting in the Midwest.
Put the dates on your calendar now
A petition drive takes time, and April 20 comes early. Confirm with your city clerk that your city votes in 2027, mark the deadlines today, and have your texting ready before absent voter ballots go out. Start a CampaignCNX+ trial once your committee filing is in place.
