Candidate Information

The Prior Lake City Clerk's Office will guide you through the required steps to appear on the ballot.

2024 Important Dates

The City of Prior Lake seats open for filing in 2024 are Mayor and two City Council seats

• July 30: Candidate filing opens for City Council
• August 13: Candidate filing closes for City Council
• August 15: Canidate withdrawal deadline

How Do I Become a Candidate?

• Candidates must be:
  • At least 21 years old upon assuming office
  • Not running for another office in the upcoming election
  • A Prior Lake resident at least 30 days before the general election

Before your name can appear on the ballot, these steps must be followed:

1. Review candidate eligibility requirements, the candidate information packet, and the required financial reports.
2. File for office at the City of Prior Lake Clerk's Office, 4646 Dakota St. SE, during open filing period.

• You will need to complete an affidavit of candidacy and pay a $5 filing fee.
• Your name will appear on the ballot exactly as you write it in the top box of the Minnesota affidavit of candidacy form.
• While campaigning and preparing for this election, you must ensure that your financial reports are current and that you are filing all required reports with the City Clerk's Office.

Candidate Packet and Financial Reports

The candidate information packet provides general information on running for Prior Lake City Council. Candidates should seek their own legal counsel to ensure their efforts comply with the law. 

• 2024 Candidate Information Packet (Coming Soon)

State Law and Prior Lake's City Code require candidates to file several financial reports.

• More information and to download required forms (Coming Soon)

Questions

If you have additional questions email City Clerk Heidi Simon or call at 952-447-9805.

City of Prior Lake Guidelines

• Employees, volunteers and vendors working at City-sponsored events shall not utilize City facilities for campaign purposes.
• It is permissible to distribute campaign literature on sidewalks, in public parks and in public right-of-ways.
• Campaign Signs cannot be staked or posted on City property. This includes but is not limited to tacking, pasting, taping, gluing of campaign signs or literature on City buildings, facilities or structures including trees, poles, posts, booths, tables, chairs, tents, toilets, etc.
• Campaign signs cannot be posted or erected in street right-of-ways and will be removed promptly without notice.

State Law

• Election Day laws for campaigning are contained in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 211B.11.
• Restrictions on placing signs on property owned by corporations are outlined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 211B.15 on Prohibited Contributions.

Campaign Sign Regulations

• Signs are ALLOWED on private property. Signs may be placed 12 feet or 4 paces from the road surface.
• Signs are NOT ALLOWED on publicly owned land, including but not limited to, public schools, City parks, etc.
• Signs are NOT ALLOWED on street signs and utility poles.
• Signs are NOT ALLOWED in the public right-of-way.

Size or Quantity of Signs

Regulated by Minnesota Statute 211B.045: “In any municipality, whether or not the municipality has an ordinance that regulates the size or number of noncommercial signs, all noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any number from 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until 10 days following the state general election. Statute applies only in a state election year.”

Campaign Sign Complaints

Sign Content

Regulated by Minnesota Statute 211B: File complaint with the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings at 651-361-7900.

Sign Location

Regulated by Minnesota Statute 173.15 and 160.27 

Sign Location on Election Day 

Regulated by Minnesota Statute 211B.11: Campaign signs are prohibited within 100 feet of a building that is a polling place or anywhere on public property. Contact Prior Lake Elections at 952-447-9805.

Signs Up Longer Than 10 Days After Election

Regulated by Minnesota Statute 211B.045: Contact the City's Zoning Administrator.