For more election information, visit the Cass County Elections Administration website and the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.

Campaign finance reports, notices, and other information can be found by clicking the tabs on the right-hand side of the page.

2026 Election Dates
State Primary Election: August 11, 2026
General Election: November 3, 2026


Qualifications for Voting 
The State of Minnesota requires the following for voter eligibility:

• Minimum age of 18 by election day
• Residency in the State of Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately preceding the election
• United States citizenship
• Voter registration

Primary and General Election

National, state, and county primaries are held in even-numbered years on the Tuesday after the second Monday in August. Minnesota has a consolidated primary ballot, which allows voters to make a secret choice of major party primary. Primary ballots marked for candidates from more than one party are considered defective and are not counted.

National, state, county, and city general elections are held in even-numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Candidates file for mayor and City Council positions at City Hall not less than eight weeks and no more than 10 weeks prior to the election. City Council elections are non-partisan.

Voter Registration and Absentee Voting
You can register to vote and/or apply to vote absentee through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, or by contacting the Cass County Auditor/Treasurer's office.

Candidates for City Offices
Generally, a candidate for elective office must meet of all of the following criteria:

• must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• must have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• must be 21 years of age or older upon taking office
• must have maintained a residence within city limits of the City of Backus for at least 30 days before the General Election

Any person eligible to hold office in the City of Backus may file an affidavit of candidacy at the Backus City Hall and pay the $2.00 filing fee during the filing period. 

 

Candidates who will be absent from the state during the filing period may arrange to file in person with the Clerk seven days prior to departure by giving a written affidavit of reasons for absence and completing all other filing requirements. 

 

NEW THIS YEAR: in accordance with Minnesota State Statute, candidates at the time of filing must present a valid ID photo with current name and address OR present a photo ID (can be expired) and one approved document with current name and address. 

Approved documents with current name and address include:

- Bill, account, or start of service statement due/dated within 30 days of the beginning of the candidate filing period, such as:

• Phone, TV, or internet
• Solid waste, sewer, electric, gas, or water
• Banking or credit card
• Rent or mortgage

- Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day

- Current student fee statement

Campaign Finance Reports for Candidates

Local candidates and campaigns follow Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211A and local laws, and file with their local filing officer, Nicole Morcomb, Backus City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer. 

Campaign finance reports are required by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211A for candidates for City offices. They are also required for committees formed to support or defeat a candidate or ballot question. 

Certificate of Filing

All candidates or committees must file a Certificate of Filing within 7 days of a general or special election in which their name is on the ballot. On this form, the candidate or committee treasurer affirms that either 1) all required campaign finance reports have been filed, or 2) the candidate or committee did not raise or spend more than $750.00 in that calendar year. 

Reporting Schedule

Once a candidate or committee raises or spends more than $750.00, they must file a Campaign Financial Report until they file a Final Report. Any filings must include all information required by Minnesota Statutes 211A.02, subd. 2. 

• Initial Report: must be filed within 14 days after a candidate or committee raises or spends more than $750.00. Additional required reports must be filed once an Initial Report is filed. 
• Year-End Report: due on January 31st of each year after the Initial Report is filed. 
• Final Report: a candidate or committee may file a Final Report once all debts are paid and all assets in excess of $100 in the aggregate are disposed of. Filing a Final Report ends campaign reporting activity, so a new Initial Report must be filed if the candidate or committee raises or spends more than $750.00 after this point. 

All forms can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, or by contacting Administrator Nicole Morcomb by email at [email protected].