Fairhope, Alabama
AUGUST 23RD ELECTION DAY
With the focus on the presidential election this November, citizens should not forget their city's own quadrennial election this summer when the mayor and all five council positions will be up for grabs.
As far as the Times knows, all incumbents plan to seek re-election.
QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN
According to state law, anyone living within the city ninety days prior to the election -- in this case Monday, May 23rd -- is eligible to run for office after paying a $50 qualifying fee to the city clerk during the "qualifying period."
The qualifying period will be from July 5 -19th: candidates must be registered city voters at the time of qualification.
There are no city voting districts; candidates for city council must specify which "at large" position they are seeking (Places 1-5); they cannot select more than one.
Candidates must also file Statements of Economic Interests with the State Ethics Commission (clk) simultaneously with filing Statements of Candidacy with the city clerk.
The appropriate campaign finance disclosure forms will need to be filled out as well, according to the Secretary of State's guidelines (clk).
The city's new government will be sworn in on November 7th.
COMPENSATION
Currently the mayor is paid $32,400/yr in monthly installments and regular council members $9,600; the council president receives $10,800/yr.
Additionally, all are eligible to participate in the employee group health care plan.
Council meetings are held twice monthly but there are numerous committee assignments as well during the interims: one well-known former councilman called it "almost a full-time job now,"
(Currently, the mayor serves as utilities superintendent as well -- and receives extra, separate pay for that job: the positions could be separated at council's discretion.)
AUGUST 23RD ELECTION DAY
With the focus on the presidential election this November, citizens should not forget their city's own quadrennial election this summer when the mayor and all five council positions will be up for grabs.
As far as the Times knows, all incumbents plan to seek re-election.
QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN
According to state law, anyone living within the city ninety days prior to the election -- in this case Monday, May 23rd -- is eligible to run for office after paying a $50 qualifying fee to the city clerk during the "qualifying period."
The qualifying period will be from July 5 -19th: candidates must be registered city voters at the time of qualification.
There are no city voting districts; candidates for city council must specify which "at large" position they are seeking (Places 1-5); they cannot select more than one.
Candidates must also file Statements of Economic Interests with the State Ethics Commission (clk) simultaneously with filing Statements of Candidacy with the city clerk.
The appropriate campaign finance disclosure forms will need to be filled out as well, according to the Secretary of State's guidelines (clk).
The city's new government will be sworn in on November 7th.
COMPENSATION
Currently the mayor is paid $32,400/yr in monthly installments and regular council members $9,600; the council president receives $10,800/yr.
Additionally, all are eligible to participate in the employee group health care plan.
Council meetings are held twice monthly but there are numerous committee assignments as well during the interims: one well-known former councilman called it "almost a full-time job now,"
(Currently, the mayor serves as utilities superintendent as well -- and receives extra, separate pay for that job: the positions could be separated at council's discretion.)
Comments
Such low standards start at the top and trickle down to the municipal level.
Anyone already qualified may change the place they are running for as well ... .