NORTH JEFFERSON —
Citizens will decide on Aug. 28 who will fill local city council seats, but potential candidates first must do their part to get on the ballot.
Qualifying for mayor and council positions began Tuesday, with a deadline of July 17. Candidates must turn in their paperwork and fees, if any, at city hall in the municipality where they will run for office.
The state of Alabama has two requirements. Those desiring to run for office must complete a Statement of Candidacy and complete an ethics form, or the Statement of Economic Interests.
The ethics form is a “short, simple form that takes just a minute to fill out,” said Gardendale City Clerk Keith Mosley. Mosley, like most city and town clerks, serves as the elections official in his city.
He said the ethics form is the same one that people in public office must sign yearly. “If they do not, their name will not be on the ballot,” Mosley said.
A third requirement, the qualifying fee, is up to each municipality to determine by a city ordinance.
“The law says if a city has a qualifying fee, it must be between $10 and $50,” Mosley said. Other local elections officials said the fee helps cover qualifying expenses.
If candidates can not afford to pay the fee, they must provide proof that they are indigent and may still be allowed to run.
“This is to ensure that everybody has the right to run for elected office regardless of financial condition,” said Mosley.
Qualifying fees
Fultondale $50
Gardendale $50
Morris Council $35
Morris Mayor $50
Kimberly $50
Warrior No fee
Brookside $50
Trafford $50
Hayden Council $25
Hayden Mayor $50
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