Information on the Four City Elections; Positions Up for election, Applications, and Deadlines
City Council elections take place in November of each odd-numbered year. The Mayor is elected to a two-year term and three City Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms in each municipal election.
Last Day to File: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 4 PM
Step 1: Make Sure You’re Eligible to Run
The requirements for running for City Council and Mayor are established in the City Charter. Candidates must be residents of and qualified electors in the City of Portage.
Step 2: Complete a Nominating Petition and Affidavit of Identity
Candidates for elective offices in the City of Portage must be nominated by petitions from registered voters. Candidates must obtain signatures of support from qualified electors in the City of Portage. To be valid, each nominating petition must contain at least 50 signatures but not more than 75.
Filing Documents:
- Affidavit of Identity
- Nominating Petition
Packets can be picked up in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall during regular business hours.
Step 3: Submit Documents to the City Clerk’s Office
Once you have completed your nomination petition and affidavit of identity, return them to the City Clerk’s Office. The City Clerk will verify you have met the requirements to run for office and if successful your name will be placed on the November ballot.
City of Kalamazoo
City Commission elections take place in November of each odd-numbered year. The Mayor is elected to a two-year term and three City Commissioners are elected to four-year terms in each municipal election. The City Commissioner that receives the most votes serves the first two years of their term as Vice Mayor.
Candidates for elective offices in the City of Kalamazoo must be nominated by petitions from the city at large. Candidates must obtain signatures of support from qualified electors in the City of Kalamazoo. To be valid, each nominating petition must contain at least 50 signatures but not more than 75.
Last Day to File: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 4 PM
In May of each election year, the City Clerk provides packets to all interested candidates that include the nominating petition and affidavit of identity. Packets can be picked up in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall during regular business hours. This is also a great time to ask any questions about the requirements or process of running for mayor or city commissioner.
There will be an election for Mayor and Three (3) Commissioners to four year terms.
Last Day to File: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 4 PM