Look for their petitions.
Anna Maria residents can qualify to run for a seat on the city commission through noon, Friday, Aug. 27. Qualifying opened at noon Aug. 16, as The Islander went to press.
Three of five commission seats are up for election Nov. 2. Incumbent Commissioners Carol Carter and Jonathan Crane are seeking reelection but a third incumbent, Doug Copeland, is not running for office.
Copeland offered to fill the seat vacated by Joe Muscatello in July and was the only candidate considered by the commission.
Copeland, who previously served on the commission through 2019, including as commission chair 2015-18, and previously on the planning board, announced he would not seek the seat in November.
To qualify, candidates must first file financial disclosure forms and name a campaign treasurer with the county supervisor of elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.
SEO chief deputy Sharon Stief told The Islander Aug. 5 that a candidate can be the campaign treasurer.
For the next step in the process, candidates must open a campaign bank account and then 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 no more than three candidates toss their hats in the ring, all who qualified will automatically win a seat and there would be no municipal election for Anna Maria’s 1,025 voters.
If a third candidate does not step forward, the commission must appoint a fifth commissioner after the election date.
As of Aug. 16, only Carter had picked up qualifying materials. Stief said the qualifying packets were sent to city hall to make it easier on candidates.
For more qualifying information, go online to votemanatee.com.
— Amy V.T. Moriarty