Candidate Filing Procedures
Tuesday April 20th at 4:00 p.m. filing deadline
Petition packets available starting February 15th, 2021. Call the Clerk's office for more information.
Section 4.1 of the Rochester City Charter states that, “no person shall be eligible for any elective office of the City unless he or she is at least 25 years of age, a qualified registered elector in the City, and a City resident for at least one year before the election”.
An August Primary is held only if 9 or more candidates file petitions. Due to an insufficient number of candidates, the 2019 August Primary was cancelled. All qualified candidates appeared on the November 3, 2020 General Election ballot.
The number of signatures needed on the Nominating Petitions, as required by Section 5.10 of the City Charter, cannot be less than 25 nor more than 50, of registered electors of the City of Rochester.
The Affidavit of Identity must be submitted with the Nominating Petitions, and must be notarized. If you need a notary at City Hall, please call (248) 733-3700 ahead to ensure a notary will be available.