Candidate Information

Welcome candidates!

• Primary Election filing: May 14 - May 29, 2026
• General Election filing: August 5 - August 25, 2026

Federal & State Offices:

This section applies to those interested in seeking office for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Representative and State Senator. These offices all submit their applications to the Secretary of State. 

County Offices:

Those interested in seeking office for County Commissioner, Coroner, County Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, Assessor, County Treasurer and Clerk of District Court. These offices all submit their applications to the Platte County Clerk's Office. 

How to File:

There are four ways candidates for county offices can be nominated at the Primary election and later elected at the General election: 

• By filing for the nomination of a major political party;
  • This is the most common method. It is used by those seeking either the Republican or Democratic nomination for a county office.
• By petition for nomination as an independent candidate;
• By convention of a minor or provisional party;
• By write-in.
  • Those who receive more write-in votes than candidates printed on the primary election ballot will have the opportunity to accept that nomination and have their name printed on the general election ballot.
  • However, that individual must receive at least 25 write-in votes and be a registered voter for the political party for which they were nominated (W.S. § 22-5-215).
  • Individuals will be contacted within 48 hours after the canvassing board meets and will be required to accept the nomination within five days after being notified of their nomination.
  • If a candidate accepts the nomination they are required to complete the appropriate application for office and pay the required fee.

Municipal (Town) Offices:

Those interested in seeking office for Mayor or Town Council for the following towns - Wheatland, Guernsey or Chugwater. The Towns of Glendo and Hartville, currently conduct their own elections. 

The Platte County Clerk's Office conducts the municipal elections for Wheatland, Guernsey and Chugwater. However, candidates for offices of that town must submit their applications to the town clerk, of the town they are seeking to serve.

At a primary election, twice as many candidates move onto the general than are to be elected. So, if the town is electing one mayor then two candidates will be printed on the general election ballot. Therefore, the primary election is a way to reduce the field of candidates. There are two ways candidates for municipal offices can be nominated at the Primary election and later elected at the General election:

• By filing for nomination;
• By write-in.
  • Those who receive sufficient write-in votes will have the opportunity to accept that nomination and have their name printed on the general election ballot.
  • However, that individual must receive at least three write-in votes and be residents of the town (W.S. §22-23-307).
  • Individuals will be contacted within 48 hours after the canvassing board meets and will be required to accept the nomination within five days after being notified of their nomination. 
  • If a candidate accepts the nomination they are required to complete the appropriate Application for Office and pay the required fee.

Precinct Committee People:

Those interested in seeking office for either Republican or Democratic, Precinct Committeeman or Committeewoman. These offices all submit their applications to the Platte County Clerk's Office. 

These offices are elected at the primary election. Therefore, their offices will not appear on the general election ballot. There are two ways to file for election for a precinct committee position:

1. By filing for the nomination of a major political party;
2. By write-in.
   • Those who receive more write-in votes than candidates printed on the primary election ballot will be considered elected.
   • Only one write-in vote is required, but the individual must be a resident of the precinct they were elected in and a registered voter of that party.
   • Those who receive sufficient write-in votes will be required to complete the Application for Office and return it to the County Clerk's Office.