SAFFORD — The Towns of Pima and Thatcher, and City of Safford have announced candidate packages are available for council seats up for election this year.
Two seats are up for election in Pima, those currently held by C.B Fletcher and Luke Hoopes. To qualify for the ballot, a candidate must collect a minimum of 15 qualified signatures (registered voters within town limits) and no more than 30.
In Thatcher, there are four seats up for election — those currently held by Council members Ashley Smith, Mark Vining and Eddy Carlton, and Mayor Randy Bryce. However, voters do not choose the mayor in Thatcher; that position is selected by the Town Council.
In Thatcher, the minimum number of signatures a candidate needs to qualify for the ballot is 31 and the maximum is 62.
Safford has three seats on the council up for election — those held by Councilmen Mike Andazola and Brad Hemphill, and Mayor Pro Tempore Richard Ortega. The mayor’s seat is also up for election. Safford candidates must submit a minimum of 101 and no more than 203 signatures to qualify for the ballot.
To date, only Hemphill and Corina Pino-Reyes have publically announced an intention to run for a council seat, both in Safford.
The earliest a candidate package with signature petitions may be turned in is March 4 and the final date to submit is April 1.
Elections for all three councils will take place during the state’s Primary Election, July 30. Candidates who receive 50 percent plus one of the votes cast will be elected. If no one receives that amount, the top two vote-getters for every seat not selected in the primary will advance to the General Election, Nov. 5.
