Qualifying for August elections open up today
Published 10:16 pm Monday, July 2, 2012
Candidates interested in running for a city council, school board or mayoral position in the Aug. 28 municipal elections must first qualify for the position, a task that begins Tuesday in Valley Grande, Orrville and Selma.
Qualifying for all municipal races begin Tuesday and end Tuesday, July 17.
In each case, and with each office, those wanting to run must be residents of the municipality and within their ward or district for 90 days by the Aug. 28 election. That would mean candidates must have lived in the area no later than May 28.
In Valley Grande, all those at least 18-years-old who have lived in Alabama for at least 90 days, been a United States citizen for at least one day and are registered voters can run for mayor or city council in the coming election. Those interested in running must pay a $50 fee and sign up to qualify at the Valley Grande City Hall. Both positions have four-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms one can serve.
In Orrville, there is no fee to qualify and run for a city council position or for mayor. However, those interested must stop by the office of the city clerk to fill out the necessary paperwork and complete a personal campaign committee form.
Those interested in running for mayor in Selma must pay a $50 fee and meet the city’s requirements — which were unavailable at press time — between July 3 and July 17. For $35, candidates who qualify can sign up to run for city council president, and for $25, candidates can run for a seat on the Selma City Council.
Candidates can also apply to run for a position on the Selma School Board, but fees, deadlines and requirements were also unavailable by press time.