SEPTEMBER 14, 2011
Scottsdale candidate packets now available
Candidate packets for citizens seeking a spot on a fall 2012 ballot for the Scottsdale City Council will be available Monday, Sept. 12, from the City Clerk’s Office, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
The Mayor and three City Council seats are up for election in 2012. The city’s primary election is set on Aug. 28 and a general election, if needed, is set Nov. 6.
The packets include a new candidate handbook, which includes information on filing petitions, starting an exploratory committee, filing campaign finance reports and other topics.
To be listed on the ballot, candidates are required to file nominating petitions containing at least 1,000 valid signatures, but not more than 10,310 signatures, with the City Clerk’s Office between April 30 and May 30, 2012.
Residents are limited in the number of nominating petitions they can sign. Arizona law requires only one petition be signed for every open seat in the election. In the Scottsdale election, that means residents can sign one petition for Mayor and up to three petitions for City Council candidates.
In the event that no more than two candidates file nomination petitions for each vacancy in office, the Primary Election may be dispensed with as to that office.
Candidates must receive a majority of the legal votes cast to be elected outright at the primary election. If not, the top two vote-getters per open seat will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.
Successful candidates will be sworn in during the first City Council meeting of January 2013.
