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Three statewide candidate filing deadlines in the next two weeks

By

Stefan Martinez-Ruiz

We're more than halfway through the 2026 primary season, but there are still 20 states to go! Three of those states have candidate filing deadlines in the next two weeks.

The map and bulleted list below show which states have candidate filing deadlines scheduled between July 18 and July 31:

  • Iowa: July 22 (statewide judicial retention candidate filing deadline)
  • Michigan: July 24 (statewide write-in primary candidate filing deadline)
  • Missouri: July 27 (statewide unaffiliated candidate filing deadline)

Looking Back

Seven states had candidate filing deadlines in the past two weeks:

  • Colorado: July 9 (statewide general unaffiliated candidate filing deadline)
  • Colorado: July 16 (statewide general write-in candidate filing deadline)
  • Delaware: July 14 (statewide primary candidate filing deadline)
  • Georgia: July 14 (statewide unaffiliated and minor party candidate filing deadline)
  • Indiana: July 6 (statewide write-in candidate filing deadline)
  • Indiana: July 15 (statewide judicial retention candidate, unaffiliated, and minor party candidate filing deadline)
  • Michigan: July 6 (statewide Supreme Court justice incumbent candidate filing deadline)
  • Michigan: July 16 (statewide unaffiliated candidate filing deadline and non-incumbent or non-party affiliated supreme court justice candidate filing deadline)
  • South Carolina: July 15 (statewide unaffiliated candidate filing deadline)
  • Utah: July 15 (statewide judicial retention candidate filing deadline)

Candidates must meet various state-specific filing requirements and deadlines to appear on primary and general election ballots. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether and how candidates can make it onto the ballot. These laws are set at the state level and apply to candidates running for state and federal offices.

Voting in upcoming elections

There are two statewide elections taking place in the next two weeks:

  • Arizona: July 21 statewide primary election
  • South Dakota: July 28 statewide primary runoff

Voter participation deadlines

Five states and the Virgin Islands have early voting periods that start in the next two weeks:

  • Hawaii: Early voting begins July 27 for the Aug. 8 primary.
  • Michigan: Early voting begins July 25 for the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Missouri: Early voting begins July 21 for the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Virgin Islands: Early voting begins July 20 for the Aug. 1 primary.
  • Wisconsin: Early voting begins July 28 for the Aug. 11 primary.
  • Wyoming: Early voting begins July 21 for the Aug. 18 primary.

10 states have voter registration deadlines in the next two weeks:

  • Alaska: July 19 is the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 18 primary.
  • Connecticut: July 24 is the last day to register online or by mail to vote in the Aug. 11 primary.
  • Florida: July 20 is the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 18 primary.
  • Hawaii: July 29 is the last day to register by mail to vote in the Aug. 8 primary.
  • Michigan: July 20 is the last day to register online or by mail to vote in the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Minnesota: July 21 is the last day to register online or by mail to vote in the Aug. 11 primary.
  • Oklahoma: July 31 is the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 25 primary.
  • Virginia: July 24 is the last day to register online or by mail to vote in the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Washington: July 27 is the last day to register online or by mail to vote in the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Wisconsin: July 22 is the last day to register online or by mail to vote in the Aug. 11 primary.

Six states, Guam, and the Virgin Islands have absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines in the next two weeks:

  • Guam: July 29 is the last day to request a ballot for the Aug. 1 primary.
  • Kansas: July 28 is the last day to request a ballot for the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Michigan: July 31 is the last day to request a ballot online or by mail for the Aug. 4 primary.
  • Missouri: July 22 is the last day to request a ballot online or by mail for the Aug. 4 primary.
  • South Dakota: July 27 is the last day to request a ballot for the July 28 primary.
  • Tennessee: July 27 is the last day to request a ballot online for the Aug. 6 primary.
  • Virgin Islands: July 18 is the last day to request a ballot for the Aug. 1 primary.
  • Virginia: July 24 is the last day to request a ballot for the Aug. 4 primary.

Click here to see our list of upcoming election dates and filing deadlines.