PIMA — There just a few days left to qualify to run for one of the local city or town councils.
Monday, April 4, is the deadline to turn in enough signatures to qualify for the Aug. 2 primary in Pima, Safford and Thatcher.
There are two seats up for election in Pima — the seat held by Mayor Dale Rogers and the seat to which Brian Paull was recently appointed, following the resignation of Deborah Barr. The Pima Town Clerk told Gila Valley Central that candidates must submit 47 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot; however, as of Tuesday, no candidate packets had been obtained.
There are three council seats up for election in Safford — the seats currently held by Arnold Lopez, Steve McGaughey and Gene Seale. As of Tuesday, four people had taken out candidate packets from the City Clerk’s Office. Candidates must submit a minimum of 102 valid signatures, and no more than 201, to qualify for the ballot.
In Thatcher, there are also three seats up for election — the seats currently held by Jenny Howard, Ryan Rapier and Heston Welker. As of Tuesday, seven residents have taken out candidate packets, and to qualify, candidates must turn in a minimum of 30 valid signatures.
Any candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast in the Aug. 2 Primary Election in each of the races will declared a winner.
If all the seats in a race are not filled during the Primary Election, the top two vote-getters will run for each unfilled seat during the Nov. 8 General Election.
