Municipal election filing to begin Monday

The off-year municipal political season will officially get underway August 26, when people can declare their candidacy for city council positions. The filing period will remain open until September 6.

In Pocatello, Seats 1, 2 and 3 are up for election for terms of 4 years Those seats are currently held, respectively, by Jim Johnston, Beena Mannan, and Roger Bray.

In Idaho Falls, three council seats are up for election. Those seats are currently held by John Radford, Michelle Ziel-Dingman, and Thomas Hally.

In Blackfoot, the seats of Jan Simpson and Bart Brown are on the ballot.

And, in Rexburg, the positions of Mayor Jerry Merrill, Council President Sally Smith, and council members Tisha Flora and Jordan Busby are all up for four-year terms this year.

Declaration of candidacy forms are available at your local city hall. Candidates must appoint a campaign treasurer before they accept or spend any money on their campaign, including in-kind contributions.

Candidates for City elected office are required to file a Declaration of Candidacy with the city clerk accompanied by: a nonrefundable filing fee of $40.00 or a petition of candidacy signed by at least five qualified city electors who have been verified by the county clerk’s office. In addition, the candidate affirms:

They are at least 18 years of age They are a U.S. citizen They are a resident of the city for at least 30 days prior to submitting their declaration Their primary residence is within the city limits That the address of the candidate’s voter registration form matches the residence address provided on the candidate’s declaration.

The rules for candidacy for municipal office are established by the state and therefore similar in every community.