Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

November 9, 2012

City elections could force primary

2013 consolidated election set up depends on number of candidates

By TESA GLASS CNHI

MT. VERNON — One election has just ended, but local residents now turn to the consolidated elections of 2013.

In the city, a primary on Feb. 26, 2013, could be forced, based on the number of candidate petitions which are filed.

“They would have to have four times plus one to file,” City Clerk and Recorder Connie Simmons said. “That means, for mayor, city clerk, or treasurer, one person is elected to office. If four file for each of the positions, there would be no primary. But, if five file for one or more of the positions, there would be a primary.”

The magic number for city council is eight.

“There are two four year terms up for election on the city council, so if eight or fewer file for the positions, we don’t have to have a primary,” Simmons said. “If there are nine or more, we have a primary to eliminate to eight candidates.”

Simmons said is a primary is forced in February, it will cost the county at least $10,000.

For Mt. Vernon residents, offices up for election in 2013 are mayor, for a four year term; city clerk for a four year term; city treasurer, for a four year term; and two city council positions, each with four year terms.

Candidate petitions may be picked up at City Hall in the City Clerk’s office. The first day to file the petitions is Monday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to City Clerk Jerilee Hopkins. Petitions will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 19, 230 and 21; the office will be closed Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving and the last day to file will be Nov. 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For those who are at the City Clerk’s office at 8 a.m. on Nov. 19, a lottery will be held for simultaneous filings to determine ballot placement.

In the county, no primaries are expected, which means there is a later candidate filing deadline for candidates. For county village positions up for election in 2013, the first day to file petitions is Dec. 17 and the last day to file is Dec. 24.

In Belle Rive, positions available for election are village president, clerk and three trustee positions, each for four year terms.

In Bluford, positions are available for election are three village trustees, each for four year terms.

In Bonnie, there are two trustee positions up for election for two year terms and three trustee positions for four year terms.

In Ina, positions up for election are village president, village clerk and three trustee positions each for four year terms.

In Waltonville, the village president, secretary/treasurer and three trustee positions each for four year terms are up for election.

In Woodlawn, the village president, village clerk and three trustees positions, each at four year terms, are up for election in 2013.

Nominating petitions for any of the positions up for election in the 2013 consolidated election are available at the village hall or city hall in the municipality for which the elected positions are available.

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.