Town Council Candidate Information
Term of Office:
The term of office for each member of the Town Council shall be two years. The Mayor shall be elected from within the Council by a majority of the members of each newly elected Council immediately following each annual municipal election, and shall serve in the capacity of Mayor for one year until the next said election.
Two (2) Councilpersons shall be elected to even years to fill the vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of Office of the two (2) then-outgoing Councilpersons. Three (3) Councilpersons shall be elected on odd years to fill the vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of Office of the three (3) then-outgoing Councilpersons.
Qualifications for Office:
Any person residing within the city limits of the Town of Townsend who is entitled to vote in accordance with the “Voter Qualifications” shall be eligible to hold office provided, however, such person has first obtained the signature of ten citizens of the Town of Townsend in the form of a petition and such petition is filed with the Secretary no later than thirty (30) days immediately preceding the election.
Notice of Candidacy:
In order to be listed on the ballot for election of Town Council members, each candidate shall file a written notice of intention to seek such office with the Town Clerk at least thirty (30) days prior to the date set for the election. If the Town Council determines that the candidate does not meet the qualifications of office, it shall reject the notice of intention to seek office and his or her name shall not appear on the ballot. In making the determination, only those members of the Town Council who are not running for re-election shall be entitled to vote on the question.
