Filing Period Begins, Mayoral Candidates in Cape Girardeau

The filing period for potential Cape Girardeau City Council members begins soon. The following positions are up for election in April 2014: Mayor, Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 6. Only Mr. John Voss is restricted by term limits.

View Filed Candidates List

Mayor Rediger announced today that he will run for his second term of office.

Aspiring candidates can pick up their nomination petitions starting Wednesday, Oct. 2 from the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 401 Independence St.

The election calendar and official process is below.

• October 22, 2013 — Filing period opens

• November 19, 2013 — Filing period closes

• November 26, 2013 — Election notice to County Clerk for Primary Election, if needed

• January 28, 2014 — Election notice to County Clerk for General Election

• February 4, 2014 — Primary Election, if needed

• April 8, 2014 — General Election

• April 15, 2014 — Special meeting must be held by this date to induct new Council members into office.

VIEW qualifications for City Council, Mayor

Article VII of the City Charter sets forth the procedure for nominations and elections of Council Members and the Mayor.

PETITION. Individuals wishing to become candidates for elective City office must first be nominated by petition.  The City Council has, by ordinance, designated appropriate “nominating petitions” and  “acceptance or nomination” forms.  These forms are available in the City Clerk’s Office.  Nominating petitions must be signed by at least fifty (50) registered voters who are entitled to vote for the proposed candidate.  In the case of Council Members, this means the petition signers must be registered voters of the City.  No nominating petition shall be accepted by the City Clerk unless accompanied by an acceptance of nomination signed by the candidate.

FILING.  The nominating petitions and acceptance of nomination forms must be filed with the City Clerk no earlier than the fifteenth (15^th) Tuesday and not later than the eleventh (11^th) Tuesday prior to the primary election date.  The City Clerk shall notify the person filing the petition and the candidate whether or not the petition is sufficient.  Candidates’ names appear on the primary ballot in order of filing of nominating petitions certified sufficient.

PRIMARY ELECTION.  A primary election is held for Council Members if more than two (2) sufficient nominating petitions are filed from any one (1) ward.  A primary election is held for Mayor if more than two (2) sufficient nominating petitions are received for that office.  The City primary election, if required, is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February in even numbered years.  Under Section 115.125 RSMo, the City Clerk must give notice to the County Clerk of any election at least ten (10) weeks prior to the election.  The names of the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number  of votes for Council Member in each ward and the two (2) Mayoral candidates receiving the highest number of votes are placed on the general election ballot in the order of total votes received by each.

GENERAL ELECTION.  The general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April in each even numbered year.  The City Council must canvass the election returns and declare the results of the election at a special meeting to be held within one (1) week following the election.  The candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected and shall be inducted into office at that time.

For more information, please contact City Clerk Gayle Conrad at 573-339-6320.