Election season is underway in Anna Maria.
And at least two incumbent Anna Maria officials are set to run for reelection as qualifying for three seats in the north end municipality continues.
As of Aug. 22, Commissioners Kathleen Morgan and Charlie Salem had qualified with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office to retain their commission seats in the November election.
The window to qualify for a seat opened Aug. 18 and will close at noon Friday, Aug. 29.
The third available seat this year is held by John Lynch.
Lynch was appointed in January to serve the remainder of Jon Crane’s term and, as such, is the shortest-tenured commissioner on the dais.
While he had yet to qualify with the SEO, Lynch wrote in an Aug. 22 email to The Islander that he was working on qualifying to retain his seat.
Anyone who fails to qualify with the SEO before the Aug. 29 deadline cannot run for office in the Nov. 4 election.
In order to qualify, candidates must pay the SEO a fee of 4% of one year’s salary for the office sought or petition at least 1% of the total number of registered voters as of the last election for the jurisdiction.
They must then file a candidate oath, statement of candidate and financial disclosure forms with the SEO ahead of deadline.
If the incumbents are the only ones to qualify, they will automatically retain their seats without competition. The election would be canceled.
Anna Maria city commissioners receive a $4,800 annual salary.
Voters will go to the polls 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4.