This year the City/School election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. There are three City Council positions open for election this fall. The City Council positions are four-year terms. The Mayor position is open for election also. The Mayor position is a two-year term. The terms determined by this November’s election become effective at noon on January 2, 2024.
Citizens interested in running for these offices may now obtain a Candidate’s Guide, nomination papers and an affidavit of candidacy from the City Clerk’s Office at 421 W. Elm Street, Tuesday through Friday, 8:00AM to 12:00pm and 12:30PM to 4:00PM. The forms are also available at the County Auditor’s Office or from the Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/candidates/index.html
Any resident of the City of Eldon, whether registered to vote or not, 18 years of age, who has not been convicted of a felony, unless pardoned by the governor, nor declared mentally incompetent, may seek public office. Nominees for City Council must obtain 10 signatures from eligible electors, but are encouraged to get more than the minimum. Persons signing the nomination papers must give their name, their address (place of residence, not a post office box or mailing address), and the date they signed the nomination paper. The number of signatures required is two percent of the total votes cast in the last preceding regular City election.
The first day to file nominations to appear on the ballot with the City Clerk is Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The Affidavit of Candidacy must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public. The nomination papers and affidavit of candidacy must be filed at the City Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 31st.
A city primary election shall be held only when the number of candidates who file nomination papers is more than twice the number of seats to be filled for an office. For example, if three candidates filed nomination papers for mayor, the city primary election must be held. The City primary election would be held October 10th, four weeks before the City general election on November 7th.
For information about candidates ethics and campaign filing responsibilities and deadlines, please contact the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board at 515-281-4028 or www.iowa.gov/ethics. The Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office is available to assist with questions about the filing process and to provide lists of registered voters. Phone: 515-281-0145 or Email: sos@sos.iowa.gov
