§ 169.220Individual not considered candidate; individual receiving votes by write-in

method as candidate.
 Sec. 20.
    (1) An individual is not considered a candidate if the individual has done any of the
 following:
    (a) Filed a fee, affidavit of incumbency, or nominating petition for an elective office, if the
 individual withdraws within the time limit established by law, and if the individual has not
 received a contribution, made an expenditure, or given consent for another person to receive a
 contribution or make an expenditure to secure the individual's nomination or election to an
 elective office. For purposes of this subdivision, a payment of a filing fee for elective office is
 not considered an expenditure.
    (b) Has been nominated as a candidate for elective office by a political party caucus or
 convention, if the individual nominated withdraws within the time limit established by law or
 does not submit the notice of acceptance of nomination according to the procedures
 established by law, and if the individual has not received a contribution, made an expenditure,
 or given consent for another person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure to secure
 the individual's nomination or election to an elective office.
    (c) Has been nominated as a candidate for elective office by a political party caucus or
 convention, if the party does not qualify to have its name and candidates' names appear on the
 general election ballot under section 685 of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL
 168.685, and if the individual has not received a contribution or made an expenditure to secure
 the individual's nomination or election to an elective office.
    (d) Has been appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective office if the individual does not meet
 1 of the criteria of section 3(1).



                                                                Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 9 of 2026
Rendered Saturday, May 2, 2026                Page 18 of 64                             Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov

    (2) An individual who receives votes at an election solely by the write-in method as
 provided by law is considered a candidate under this act as follows:
    (a) An individual who receives a contribution, makes an expenditure, or gives consent for
 another person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure with a view to bringing about
 the individual's receiving write-in votes at an election is a candidate under this act at the time
 of receiving the contribution or making the expenditure or giving consent to another person to
 receive the contribution or make the expenditure.
    (b) An individual who is not a candidate by reason of subdivision (a), but who is certified as
 a nominee as a result of write-in votes received at a primary election and does not withdraw as
 a nominee as provided by law is a candidate under this act as of 5 days following the
 certification of the nomination by the board of canvassers canvassing the primary.
    (c) An individual who is not a candidate by reason of subdivision (a) or (b), but who is
 elected to an office by receiving write-in votes in an election is a candidate under this act at
 the time the individual qualifies for the office.