City Offices Candidate Filing Information
NOTICE
OF FILING FOR THE 2026
PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION
CITY OF ELY, MINNESOTA
Notice is hereby given that the City of Ely General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The filing period for Mayor (a 2-year term) and City Council (3 each with 4-year terms) begins at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and ends at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
NOTE: Filing offices will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.
Candidates may file in person or by mail between 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Filings will be accepted at Ely City Hall, Clerk’s Office at 209 E Chapman St, Ely, MN 55731. Completed Affidavit of Candidacy forms, proof of residence, and fees must be received physically by 5:00pm on the last day of filing, which is June 2, 2026. Candidates who will be absent from the state during the filing period and meet the requirements of Minnesota Statutes section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, may arrange to file during the seven days immediately preceding the candidate’s absence from the state.
Affidavits of Candidacy forms are available at the Ely City Clerk’s office, at www.ely.mn.us/elections, email deputyclerk@ely.mn.us or call 218-365-3224, ext 1. Filings will be accepted in the City Clerk’s office, 209 E. Chapman St., Ely, MN, 55731, the cost of filing is $5.00.
If three (3) or more candidates file for the Mayor’s term and/or seven (7) or more candidates file for a City Council term, the City will hold a Primary Election on August 11, 2026 (MN Statutes 205.065 Subd 4), to determine the candidates that will be on the General Election ballot for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
If
you have questions about filing for office, please contact the City of Ely
Clerk’s office at (218) 365-3224, ext 1; or email at deputyclerk@ely.mn.us
To: Candidates filing for City offices in the 2026 Election
From: Harold R Langowski, Clerk/Treasurer, and Casey Velcheff, Deputy Clerk
Date: May 5, 2026
Re: Campaign Information and Required Finance Reports
In this packet, you will find forms and informational sheets to assist you with your campaign as you run for City office, and others that must be filed with the City Clerk's Office to meet the requirements of the law. Please read this information thoroughly, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Documents included in this packet:
1. Affidavit of Candidacy: Your name will be placed on the official ballot in the exact manner as printed on the Affidavit of Candidacy form. Please print in upper- and lower-case letters. You have until 5:00 P.M., June 2, 2026, to file an Affidavit of Candidacy.
2. Address: The checkbox labeled "My residence address is to be classified as private data" is ONLY for individuals who have an order of protection from a court. It is not an opt-in for those who prefer not to disclose. Disclosure of residential address is REQUIRED for all candidates except County Sheriff, County Attorney, Judicial candidates, and those who have the aforementioned court order for protection.
3. Phone Number: Only judicial, county attorney and county sheriff candidates are exempt from the candidate phone number requirement. These candidates do not need to submit any additional paperwork. All other candidates must provide a phone number.
4. Affidavit of Withdrawal: You have until 5:00 P.M. June 4, 2026, to file an Affidavit of Withdrawal. (MN Statutes 205A.06 sub.5)
5. Campaign Financial Reports & Due Dates: This section includes information regarding definitions and filing requirements. An initial report must be filed within 14 days of the candidate or committee receiving contributions or making disbursements of more than $750 in a calendar year. (MN Statutes, Chapters 211A and 211B)
Once you have either received contributions or made disbursements of more than $750 in a calendar year and an initial report has been filed, reports are then required on the following dates until a final report is filed:
1. 10 days prior to the August 11, 2026, primary (due even if no primary): Due Friday, July 30, 2026
2. 10 days prior to the November 3, 2026, general election: Due Friday, October 23, 2026
3. Certification of Filing: each candidate and committee treasurer (whether you win or not) must certify within 7 days after the general election that all required reports have been filed or that the candidate and committee have not received contributions nor made expenditures in excess of $750 in a calendar year. The report is due by Tuesday, November 10, 2026. No certificate of election will be issued to a successful candidate who has not filed such a certification. MN Statutes 211A.05, sub. 1.
4. Campaign Financial Reports Due 30 days after the general election: Due Thursday, December 3, 2026.
5. January 29, 2027, and each January 31 following the year when the initial report was filed, until a final report is filed.
Final Report: may only be filed when all debts have been settled and all assets in excess of $100 in the aggregate are disposed of. (Check "Final Report" under Type of Report on the Campaign Financial Report Form.)
Please note: We are not
qualified to answer questions regarding campaign finance. Please check your 2026
Campaign Manual. Additional information is available at the Secretary of
State's Website https://www.sos.mn.gov/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/
You can also contact the Secretary of State via email at secretary.state@state.mn.us or via phone at 877-600-8683.
Where to file reports:
City of Ely
Attn: Clerk’s Office –Elections
209 E Chapman St
Ely, MN 55731
Petition in Lieu of Election Filing Fee: This petition may be filed in lieu of the $5.00 filing fee requirement. (MN Statutes 204B.11 sub. 2)
Please feel free to contact us at Casey deputyclerk@ely.mn.us, Harold elyod@ely.mn.us or (218) 365-3224 ext 1 if you have any questions. We will assist you the best we can. Best of luck!