§ 168.435Candidates for judge of probate court; declaration of nominees; certification of

nominations; death or disqualification of candidate.
 Sec. 435.
    (1) The candidates for the office of judge of probate receiving the largest number of votes at
 any primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of places to be filled as set forth
 in the report of the board of county canvassers, based on the returns from the various election
 precincts or as determined by the board of county canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be
 declared the nominees for the office at the next November election. The board of county
 canvassers shall certify the nominations to the county election commission.
    (2) If, after the deadline for filing nominating petitions under section 433, there are fewer
 candidates for nomination or nominees for the office of judge of probate than there are persons



                                                                     Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 9 of 2026
Rendered Thursday, April 30, 2026              Page 138 of 478                               Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov

 to be elected because of the death or disqualification of a candidate more than 65 days before
 the general November election, then a person, whether or not an incumbent, may qualify as a
 nominee for that office at the general November election by filing nominating petitions with
 the county clerk or, in case of a probate district, with the secretary of state in the manner
 required by section 433. However, the filing shall be made before 4 p.m. on the twenty-first
 day following the death or disqualification of the candidate or 4 p.m. on the sixtieth day
 preceding the general November election, whichever is earlier, and the minimum number of
 signatures required is 1,000 or 1/2 the minimum number required under section 433,
 whichever is less.
    (3) The county clerk or, in case of a probate district, the secretary of state shall certify the
 nomination of each person who qualifies as a nominee under subsection (2) to the board of
 election commissioners specified by section 687 for the general November election.