Running for Office in Dearborn
Individuals who are interested in running for office in Dearborn are required to file with either the City Clerk's Office (for local positions), Wayne County (for county positions), or the Michigan Bureau of Elections (for state positions). All candidates must adhere to campaign finance and reporting requirements.
Dearborn Public School Board
An individual residing within the Dearborn Public School boundaries may run for an open school board position by filing an Affidavit of Identity with the Dearborn City Clerk’s Office by the filing deadline. The complete Candidate packet can be downloaded or picked up in person from the Clerk’s Office. Dearborn Public School Board members serve concurrently as Henry Ford College Board of Trustees.
Running for Mayor, City Clerk, or City Council
The City of Dearborn is governed by a Mayor and seven-member City Council, all elected by the residents of Dearborn. Other elected officials include the City Clerk and the 19th District Court’s three judges.
City Council positions, the clerk, district judges, and the mayor are up for election every four years.
Offices that File with Other Officials
Each of these offices has additional filing requirements. Individuals interested in filing for these offices should contact the appropriate filing officials.
Precinct Delegate:
A Dearborn resident interested in being voted in as a Precinct Delegate must file an Affidavit of Identity with the Wayne County Clerk’s Office. Petition signatures are not required. If the filing deadline has passed, an individual may file a Declaration of Intent with the Wayne County Clerk’s Office. See below for filing deadline dates.
Wayne County Commissioner:
A Dearborn resident interested in running for Wayne County Commission must file an Affidavit of Identity with the Wayne County Clerk’s Office.
State Elected Officials:
A Dearborn resident interested in running for state office positions, including for the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan Senate, U.S. Congress, and statewide office, must file with the Michigan Bureau of Elections.