Auditor certifies special election petition for FM council seats

Posted Monday, November 23, 2020 4:36 pm

BY PCC STAFF

FORT MADISON - The Lee County Auditor's office has certified a petition to force a special election for the Fort Madison City Council's 2nd and 3rd wards.

The petition was submitted last week by 2nd Ward candidate Jerry Hamelton. Hamelton didn't receive an appointment Tuesday for the seat after an interview with the council. The council appointed 2nd Ward resident and Fort Madison businessman Tom Schulz to fill the seat.

The City council also appointed Donna Amandus, among three candidates interviewed, to serve the 3rd Ward.

Due to state special election rules, because Hamelton submitted a verified petition for the 2nd Ward, the 3rd Ward automatically gets put on the ballot as well because the appointment to the council only lasts until the next city election.

According to Lee County Auditor Denise Fraise, the election will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 29. That date falls within the 90-day rule that is required following the vacancy being created. That vacancy occurred when former councilman Bob Morawitz died on Sept. 30.

Anyone interested in seeking election to either of the offices must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and a Nomination Petition with 10 signatures of eligible electors from the ward of the candidate.

These forms can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office website.
http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/candidates/nompetnonpartisan.pdf
http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/candidates/affidavit.pdf and must be complete and filed with the Fort Madison City Clerk by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 4th.

Nomination Petitions and Candidate Affidavits for the special elections are also available at the Fort Madison City Clerk’s Office, 811 Avenue E.

Fort Madison City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the exception of the Thanksgiving holiday on November 26 and 27. City Hall will be open until 5 p.m.. on Friday, December 4 to accept Nomination Petitions.

A candidate must be 18 years of age when his or her Nomination Petition is filed and eligible to vote. Candidates must live in the ward they intend to represent. Persons signing the petitions must also live in the ward.

It is recommended that candidates obtain more than the required number of signatures on their petitions. This will guard against possible unacceptable signatures causing the petitions to be invalid.