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Tuesday filing deadline to run for mayor, council seats in August 25 municipal election

Municipal elections in most towns and cities in Alabama will take place Tuesday, August 25.

The deadline to file as a candidate for a town/city council seat or mayoral office is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, at your town/city clerk’s office.

All candidates must have been residents of the municipality for at least 90 days prior to the election and be a qualified elector at the time of filing the statement of candidacy.

Candidates also file a Statement of Economic Interests with the Alabama Ethics Commission. Candidates have up to five days after filing their qualifying papers to file their statement of economic interests.

According to the Alabama League of Municipalities, the Ethics Commission “may, in its discretion, allow the candidate an additional five days to file because of mistake, omission, error or other good cause.”

Under Alabama law, municipalities are authorized to adopt ordinances establishing a qualification fee for all candidates seeking office in municipal elections. The fee, if established, must be no less than $10 and no more than $50.

A municipality may establish such a qualification fee only if the ordinance contains a provision whereby an indigent person may become a candidate.

The final day on which a candidate may qualify to run in the municipal election in mayor-council cities and towns is 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday in July preceding the election. The deadline for this election cycle is Tuesday, July 21.

To file as a candidate, visit your town/city clerk’s office.

The Alabama League of Municipalities’ 2020 Municipal Election Calendar and Election Manual is available on the League’s Municipal Election Information page.

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