Municipal election qualifying underway

By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Writer

 

With municipal elections coming in August, those interested in qualifying to run for municipal office had only two weeks to add their names to the ballots, with qualifying having begun Tuesday.

In Coosa County, there are three municipalities that will hold an election on August 26, Goodwater, Kellyton and Rockford. Each of the municipalities will vote on a mayor and five Town Council positions, distributed by places 1-5.

Qualifying began Tuesday, June 10, following each mayor giving notice of the election. The last day to qualify to run for municipal office is Tuesday, June 24, at 5 p.m.

For Goodwater and Rockford, those wishing to qualify to run for office may do so at Town Hall during regular business hours. A Statement of Candidacy and other qualifying documents may be obtained from the town clerk for each municipality.

For Kellyton, those interested in qualifying for the election must call Town Clerk Karen Keel at 256-786-1703 to make an appointment to complete their qualification forms to run in the election. The necessary documents may also be obtained at Town Hall, but an appointment must be made first as Kellyton Town Hall does not have regular business hours.

Candidates must file a Statement of Economic Interests form with the Alabama Ethics Commission in order to appear on the ballot. If a candidate fails to comply with the Fair Campaign Practices Act filing requirements for the Statement of Economic Interest, then the candidate is ineligible to appear on the ballot.

By July 15, the mayor of each municipality must file a list of qualified voters with the town clerk. If the mayor is a candidate in the election, then the town council must appoint a qualified person to perform this duty.

July 25 is the last day to display sample ballots, and July 29 is the last day for the mayor to deliver absentee ballots and absentee election supplies to the town clerk.

August 11 is the last day for the council to appoint election officials. The town clerk for each municipality must hold an election school for the individuals chosen as election officials and must also notify the official that they have been selected at least 48 hours before the school is scheduled.

August 15 is the last day to publish lists of the election officers and the voting places to which they are assigned.

Finally, August 26 is Election Day, with all polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Candidates may appoint a poll watcher to observe voting procedures in the polling place, but the appointment must be made in writing, signed by the candidate and filed with the election officials at the polling place.

In Goodwater, qualified voters who reside within the town’s corporate limits can vote at the Goodwater Fire Department.

For Kellyton, qualified voters can participate in the election by voting at the Kellyton Civic Complex cafeteria.

In Rockford, qualified voters can vote at the Rockford Event Center, located at 333 School Street.

Election results will be canvassed at 12 p.m. September 2. If necessary for any of the municipal elections, a run-off election will be held Tuesday, September 23.

The elected municipal officials will take office on the first Monday in November following the election, which will be November 3. The council will also meet that date for its organizational session.

For questions regarding the Statement of Economic Interests form, interested candidates may call the Alabama Ethics Commission at 334-242-2997 or email candidates@ethics.alabama.gov.

For election information, contact the secretary of state’s office at 334-242-7210 or visit www.alabamavotes.gov.

Locally, area residents may contact Goodwater Town Hall at 256-839-6301, Kellyton Town Clerk Keel at 256-786-1703, or Rockford Town Hall at 256-377-4911.