The next CITY ELECTION will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. A Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, if required.
City residents will vote for the following offices:
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Mayor – Two-year term ending November 7, 2028
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Three City Commissioners – Four-year terms ending November 5, 2030
2026 Open Seats
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Mayor: Don Gerrie
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City Commissioners: Ray Bauer, Steven Habusta, and Scott Marble
Candidate Filings
The City Clerk has made the final determination regarding the validity and sufficiency of all candidate filings for Mayor and City Commissioner. Upon completion of the review and verification of all filing requirements, candidates must meet the qualifications required for elective City office in order for their name to be placed on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 City General Election.
Mayor:
Don Gerrie
Steve Habusta
City Commissioner:
Ray Bauer
Scott D. Marble
Nathan Moran
Brian R. Smith
Candidate Withdrawal Deadline:
Written withdrawals must be submitted no later than Friday, April 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. After that time, the City Clerk will certify all eligible candidates for placement on the November ballot to the Chippewa County Clerk.
Nominating Packets
Nominating packets for those who wish to run for the Office of Mayor or Office of City Commissioner are available from the City Clerk’s Office - City Hall, 225 East Portage Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
--> Michigan Department of State - Filing Dates and Deadlines
Filing Deadline - Tuesday, April 21, 2026 by 4:00 p.m.
Nominating packets are available for the Office of Mayor and Commissioner at the City Clerk’s Office.
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Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing
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Charter Section 3.10 – Affidavit of Identity. All persons who aspire to a City office and intend to file petitions for the primary election shall file a declaration of such intention with the Clerk no earlier than the sixteenth Tuesday before, and no later than 4:00 p.m. (local time) on the fifteenth Tuesday prior to the primary election.
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Declaration of intent and Affidavit of Qualifications
- Charter Section 5.1 Eligibility for Office and Employment in City. No person shall hold any elective office of the city unless he/she has been a resident of the City for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the last day for filing original petitions for such office or prior to day of appointment to fill a vacancy and is also qualified and registered elector of the city on such day and throughout their tenure of office.
- Charter Section 5.1 Eligibility for Office and Employment in City. No person shall hold any elective office of the city unless he/she has been a resident of the City for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the last day for filing original petitions for such office or prior to day of appointment to fill a vacancy and is also qualified and registered elector of the city on such day and throughout their tenure of office.
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Nominating Petitions
- Charter Section 3.11. - Nominating petitions. The method of nomination for all candidates for City primary elections shall be by petition. Such petitions for each candidate shall be signed by not less then fifty nor more then one hundred registered electors of the City. No person shall sign his name to a greater number of petitions for any one office than there are persons to be elected to said office at the following regular City election. Where the signature of any individual appears on more petitions then he is so permitted to sign, said signature shall be counted only to the extent he is permitted to sign in the order of the respective dates of filing the petitions containing such signatures.
The written withdrawal deadline for candidates is Friday, April 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. After that time, and once the City Clerk has determined the filings are sufficient and eligible, the City Clerk will certify those candidates who are eligible for placement on the November ballot.
Candidates that are elected will be sworn into office by City Clerk Robin R. Troyer at the City Commission Organizational Meeting of November 9, 2026 and will assume office immediately upon being sworn in.
Compensation
Members of the City Commission are provided with compensation in the following amounts:
- Mayor - $7,000.00 annual compensation [$291.67 per attended Regular City Commission meeting]
- City Commissioner - $4,500.00 annual compensation [$187.50 per attended Regular City Commission meeting]
Current seated City Commission: https://www.saultcity.com/citycommission
If you have further questions regarding the procedure to run for office, contact the City Clerk’s Office.