New Political Party Qualification - Michigan Department Of State printable pdf download

August 2017

-- NEW POLITICAL PARTY QUALIFICATION --

A political party is required to file the following in order to gain access to the November

6, 2018 general election ballot: (1) a “new political party” petition containing the

requisite number of valid signatures, and (2) a certificate which states the name of the

party, signed by the chairperson and the secretary of the political party’s state central

committee.

Minimum Number of Valid Signatures: To meet the petition requirement, a political party

must file a “new political party” petition bearing the signatures of registered and qualified

electors equal to not less than 1 percent (.01) of the total number of votes cast for all

candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected. At the

November 4, 2014 general election, 3,156,531 votes were cast for all candidates seeking the

office of governor. Thus, the minimum number of valid signatures presently required on a

“new political party” petition is 31,566.

Signature Distribution: At least 100 signatures from each of at least ½ of the

congressional districts in the state.

Circulation Period: 180 days preceding filing date. Signatures that are more than 180

days old on the date the petition is filed are not valid and will not be counted.

Filing Deadline: 4:00 p.m. on July 19, 2018. Once a “new political party” petition is

filed, additional petition sheets cannot be added to the filing.

Filing Location: Michigan Department of State’s Bureau of Elections in Lansing.

Form: The form of the petition (including page size and type sizes) must be in

conformity with Michigan election law, MCL 168.685. (See attached sample petition

form.)

The sponsors of a “new political party” petition are urged to submit a proof copy of their

petition to the Board of State Canvassers for approval as to form prior to the circulation

of the petition. The attached “Printer’s Affidavit” must accompany a petition submitted

for Board approval.

Circulator Qualifications: The circulator of a new political party petition is not required

to reside or be registered to vote in Michigan. Thus, the sponsor of a new political party

petition may utilize a petition circulator who resides out-of-state, so long as the circulator

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New Political Party Qualification - Michigan Department Of State