January 25, 2013
City announces dates for elections
NEWBURYPORT — With fall elections and winter inaugurations concluded, city officials have released dates relevant to municipal election in 2013.Some local leaders, including Mayor Donna Holaday, have speculated that the number of this year’s candidates for City Council might be larger than that of 2011, in part because local issues may have inspired some residents to run for office.
All six ward councilors ran unopposed in 2011.
Also, seven residents volunteered to fill a vacancy on the 11-member council earlier this month, perhaps an indication of increased interest.
The position of mayor will also be at stake.
The mayor’s term will now be four years, and the position will pay a historic high of $98,000 as the result of the passage of a new charter.
The following is a timeline for political activity relating to the municipal election:
The last day to obtain nomination papers for local office is Friday, July 26.
The final date to submit nomination papers is Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The last day to file withdrawals or objections to nomination papers is Thursday, Aug. 22.
The preliminary election is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 17. The last day for voters to register is Wednesday, Aug. 28.
The biennial municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
City officials say that certified signatures of at least 50 voters are the minimum necessary to register as a candidate for the council.
