Qualifying begins next week for city elections

The cities of Apalachicola and Carrabelle have elections coming up this year – both cities have two commission seats that will open up. For people who plan to run for city office the qualifying period is next week. Candidates in Carrabelle can pick up the necessary paperwork at Carrabelle City Hall – the paperwork has to be returned to city hall by noon on Friday, July the 24th. The qualifying fee in Carrabelle is 45 dollars plus one percent of a commissioner’s annual salary with which adds another 37.40 cents to the cost. Candidates can also forego the qualifying fee by collecting enough signatures. The City of Apalachicola’s process works much the same. Qualifying paperwork can be picked up at Apalachicola City Hall and must be returned by noon on July 24th. The qualifying fee in Apalachicola is 4.5 percent of a commissioner’s annual salary which comes out to 226.80. Both cities will hold elections on Tuesday, September 8th and if necessary there will be run-off elections on September the 22nd. Residents in both cities who are not yet registered to vote have until 4:30 on August the 10th to complete that paperwork. You can register to vote at the Supervisor of Elections office in Apalachicola and Carrabelle. You can also download an application from the Supervisor of Elections website at www.votefranklin.com.