Qualifying continues in AM
Four candidates would make a city commission race in Anna Maria this year.
Three candidates would fill the seats on the dais.
Candidate qualifying for the Nov. 2 municipal election opened at noon Aug. 16 and continues this week until noon, Friday, Aug. 27.
As of Aug. 23, incumbent Commissioner Carol Carter had qualified to run for another two-year term and incumbent Commissioner Jonathan Crane was an “active” candidate, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.
Incumbent Doug Copeland, appointed to a vacancy on the commission earlier this summer, has said he doesn’t intend to run for office.
To qualify, candidates must file financial disclosure forms and name a campaign treasurer with the county supervisor of elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.
Next candidates open a campaign bank account, obtain signatures from 10 registered voters, submit an affidavit of residency and pay a $48 qualifying fee. The fee is 1% of the $4,800 salary commissioners earn annually during a two-year term.
If three candidates qualify, all will win office and Anna Maria’s 1,025 voters will not go the polls.
If at least four people qualify, there’s an Election Day race for the three seats, with the three top vote-getters winning the offices.
If only two candidates qualify, city ordinance requires the commission to appoint a fifth commissioner.
As qualifying opens in BB
At least four people are geared up to run for municipal office in Bradenton Beach.
Candidate qualifying opened at noon Aug. 23, as The Islander went to press, and even before that hour, the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office reported four “active” candidates.
Incumbent Commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh are hoping for two more years at the dais.
Incumbent John Chappie is an “active” candidate, as is challenger David Galuszka in the race for the two-year term in the mayor’s office.
Qualifying will close at noon, Friday, Aug. 27.
To begin the qualifying process, candidates must first file financial disclosure forms and name a campaign treasurer with the county supervisor of elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. A candidate can be their own campaign treasurer.
From there, candidates must open a campaign bank account, obtain signatures from 10 registered voters, submit an affidavit of residency and pay a $48 qualifying fee.
The fee is 1% of the $4,800 salary commissioners earn annually during a two-year term.
The mayoral qualifying fee is $96, or 1% of the annual $9,600 salary.
There were 717 registered voters in Bradenton Beach as of Aug. 4.
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2 election is Monday, Oct. 4.
And election qualification window opens in HB
By Ryan Paice
Islander Reporter
It’s time to step up if your goals include serving the city of Holmes Beach.
People interested in running for a seat on the Holmes Beach City Commission must qualify for candidacy this week.
The qualifying period began Aug. 23, after The Islander’s press deadline, and will end at noon, Friday, Aug. 27.
Over that time, potential candidates must file forms with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office to detail a campaign bank account, appoint a campaign treasurer and submit an oath of office and provide financial disclosure.
Potential candidates also must obtain 10 signatures from registered voters in the city, submit an affidavit of residency and pay the $76.90 qualifying fee — 1% of the $7,690 annual pay Holmes Beach commissioners receive for their two-year terms.
Commissioners Jim Kihm, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek have told The Islander they will run for reelection.
Without challengers, they would automatically retain their seats.
If more than three candidates qualify to run, the city’s 2,769 voters — registered as of Aug. 20 — will decide the victors — the top three vote-getters — Nov. 2.
Schaefer and Soustek were the only people to have begun the qualifying process as of Aug. 20, according to SEO deputy chief Sharon Stief.
The deadline for voter registration is Monday, Oct. 4.
