Atlantic, Iowa – Cass County Auditor and Commission of Elections, Kathy Somers, Wednesday (Feb. 18th), announced the filing procedures and deadlines for candidates seeking office in the June 2, 2026 Primary Election and November 3, 2026 General Election. Somers says candidates must file an affidavit of candidacy and nomination petition with the required number of signatures during the appropriate filing period. Forms are available at the Cass County Auditor’s office, 5 W 7th Street, Atlantic, IA. Nomination petitions may be circulated prior to the filing period.

Primary Election Process (for Partisan Offices):

• Candidates who seek a partisan office and choose to run as a Republican or Democratic Party candidate must win the party’s Primary Election on June 2, 2026 to advance to the General Election ballot.

Primary Candidate Filing Dates:

• Federal and State Offices: February 23 – March 13, 2026 (5:00 p.m.). File with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office.
• Partisan County Offices: March 2 – March 20, 2026 (5:00 p.m.). File with the County Auditor’s office.

General Election Process (Including No-Party Candidates and Nonpartisan Offices):

• No-party candidates and candidates for nonpartisan offices file directly for placement on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.

General Election Filing Periods:

• Federal and State Offices (No-party candidates): February 23 – June 2, 2026 (5:00 p.m.). File with the Secretary of State’s office.
• Partisan County Offices (No-party candidates): March 2 – June 2, 2026 (5:00 p.m.). File with the County Auditor’s office.
• Township Offices: March 2 – June 2, 2026 (5:00 p.m.). File with the County Auditor’s office.
• County Ag Extension, Soil & Water and Hospital Trustees: No specified first date to file; the filing deadline is August 26, 2026 (5:00 p.m.). File with the County Auditor’s office.

Offices on the Primary Election and General Election Ballots:

• Partisan County Offices: County Supervisor (Districts 2 and 3), County Treasurer, County Recorder and County Attorney.
• State Offices: Governor/Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of Agriculture, Attorney General, State Senator District 9, and State Representative District 18.
• Federal Offices: U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, District 3.

Offices Only on the General Election Ballot:

• Non-Partisan County Offices: County Agricultural Extension Council (elect 5), Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner (elect 4), Hospital Trustee (elect 4).
• Township Offices: Edna Township Trustee (elect 2), Edna Township Clerk (elect 1), Union Township Trustee (elect 2), Union Township Clerk (elect 1).

For additional information regarding election for county offices, contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office at 712-243-4570.
For information regarding state and federal offices, contact the Iowa Secretary of State’s office, or visit their official website, sos.iowa.gov.