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: What office are you running for?
To find the complete list of available offices for 2018, please see our candidate listing, here.
If you are unsure of which precinct you live in, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. This website allows you to view your voter registration status, sample ballot, polling location, and voting precinct. You can also click here to view a map of voting precincts in Ottawa County.
Step 2: Where do I file for office?
All federal, statewide, and judicial candidates file for office with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections. The Bureau of Elections can be contacted by phone at (517) 373-2540, or email at elections@michigan.gov.
Candidates running for the following offices in 2018 must file with the Ottawa County Clerk:
- State Senator
- State Representative
- County Commissioner
- Local School Board
- Precinct Delegate
Candidates for city, township, or village offices, which includes candidates running in the Village of Spring Lake in 2018, file with their local city or township clerk. To find contact information for your local clerk in Ottawa County, click here.
Please note: All candidates who file with the Ottawa County Clerk must submit their filing at the West Olive location of the Ottawa County Clerk's Office, 12220 Fillmore St., Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460.
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. Please select the appropriate office for more detailed information.
- Michigan State Senate, 30th District
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity. This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 27, 2018 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.
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 Senate 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, 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
All state-level candidates must file campaign finance forms with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections. More information on filing with the State can be found here.
Positions Available
Each district elects one member to the State Senate.
Term of Office
All State Senators are elected to 4-year terms and are limited to serving two terms. All partisan candidates will be nominated at the August 7, 2018 Primary Election. Candidates who receive their party's nomination, or candidate who are running without party affiliation, will appear on the ballot during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- Michigan State Representative, 88th District
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity. This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 27, 2018 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.
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 in 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 Ottawa County Clerk's Office.
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
All state-level candidates must file campaign finance forms with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections. More information on filing with the State can be found found here.
Positions Available
Each State House District elects one member to the state legislature. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
Term of Office
All State Representatives are elected to 2-year terms, and are limited to serving three terms. All partisan candidates will be nominated at the August 7, 2018 Primary Election. Candidates who receive their party's nomination, or candidate who are running without party affiliation, will appear on the ballot during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- Michigan State Representative, 89th District
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity. This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 27, 2018 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.
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 in 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 Ottawa County Clerk's Office.
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
All state-level candidates must file campaign finance forms with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections. More information on filing with the State can be found found here.
Positions Available
Each State House District elects one member to the state legislature. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
Term of Office
All State Representatives are elected to 2-year terms, and are limited to serving three terms. All partisan candidates will be nominated at the August 7, 2018 Primary Election. Candidates who receive their party's nomination, or candidate who are running without party affiliation, will appear on the ballot during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- Michigan State Representative, 90th District
Filing Form and Deadlines
All candidates must submit an Affidavit of Identity. This form must be submitted to our office by Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 27, 2018 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.
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 in 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 Ottawa County Clerk's Office.
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
All state-level candidates must file campaign finance forms with the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections. More information on filing with the State can be found found here.
Positions Available
Each State House District elects one member to the state legislature. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
Term of Office
All State Representatives are elected to 2-year terms, and are limited to serving three terms. All partisan candidates will be nominated at the August 7, 2018 Primary Election. Candidates who receive their party's nomination, or candidate who are running without party affiliation, will appear on the ballot during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- 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 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 27, 2018 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.
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 20 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, 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
All candidates must open a campaign finance committee. The Statement of Organization form creates a campaign finance committee. This form must be submitted to our office within 20 days of becoming a candidate. We recommend that all candidates complete the Statement of Organization form and submit it with their Affidavit of Identity when they file for 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. All additional campaign finance forms and instructions can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Positions Available
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has 11 members, with each member representing one commission district. Each district elects one member every two years. All available positions are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
Term of Office
All Ottawa County Commissioners are elected to 2-year terms. All partisan candidates will be nominated at the August 7, 2018 Primary Election. Candidates who receive their party's nomination, or candidate who are running without party affiliation, will appear on the ballot during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- 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 24, 2018 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 26, 2018 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.
Petition Requirement
All candidates must submit either 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
All candidates must open a campaign finance committee. The Statement of Organization form creates a campaign finance committee. This form must be submitted to our office within 20 days of becoming a candidate. We recommend that all candidates complete the Statement of Organization form and submit it with their Affidavit of Identity when they file for 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. All additional campaign finance forms and instructions can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Positions Available
Spring Lake Village elects one president every two years. The Village President will be elected during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Term of Office
The Spring Lake Village President is elected to a 2-year terms.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- 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 24, 2018 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 26, 2018 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.
Petition Requirement
All candidates must submit either 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
All candidates must open a campaign finance committee. The Statement of Organization form creates a campaign finance committee. This form must be submitted to our office within 20 days of becoming a candidate. We recommend that all candidates complete the Statement of Organization form and submit it with their Affidavit of Identity when they file for 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. All additional campaign finance forms and instructions can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Positions Available
Spring Lake Village elects three council members every two years. Three candidates will be elected during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Term of Office
Spring Lake Village Council Members are elected to 4-year terms.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- 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 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, October 26, 2018 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.
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, 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
All candidates must open a campaign finance committee. The Statement of Organization form creates a campaign finance committee. This form must be submitted to our office within 20 days of becoming a candidate. We recommend that all candidates complete the Statement of Organization form and submit it with their Affidavit of Identity when they file for 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. All additional campaign finance forms and instructions can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
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, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
Term of Office
Most school board candidates in Ottawa County are elected to 6-year terms. School Board members for West Ottawa Public Schools are elected to 4-year terms. All candidates will be elected during the November 6, 2018 General Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
- 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 8, 2018 at 4:00 PM in order to appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates may file with our office until Friday, July 27, 2018 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.
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. Those numbers will be updated on our candidate listing as they are submitted to our office.
Term of Office
All precinct delegates (for both political parties) are elected every two years during the August Primary Election. In 2018, all Precinct Delegates will be elected during the August 7, 2018 Primary Election.
Current Candidates
All candidates who have filed for office for 2018 are listed on the Ottawa County Candidate Listing, which can be found on our Voter Information page.
Additional Information
Precinct Delegates have one primary responsibility – they are voting members of the party at the county party's political convention. The convention happens in the week or so 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
Kim Nagy – phone: 616-443-8992, email: ottawadems@yahoo.com - Ottawa County Republican Party
Janessa Smit – phone: (616) 396-3791, email: info@ottawagop.org
