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No candidates up for town election, again
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
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| Monterey Town Council met last Thursday, as they do every first Thursday throughout the year. This month, a possible flooding hazard on Mill Alley and the purchase of decorative flower planters topped the agenda. |
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MONTEREY - The March 4 filing deadline is past and no one registered to have his or her name put on the ballot this year for town council or mayor of Monterey.
While the candidates' filing date has passed, citizens have until 5 p.m. April 7 to register to vote in the May 6 town election.
After the election, the county electoral board will go through a rigorous process to verify whether those with the most votes meet the legal requirements to hold office.
In the past, non-registered voters and non-candidates have received votes in Monterey, due in part to the lack of adherence to the proscribed process. Having no candidates to choose from, voters are left to their own devices to figure out who should represent them. Occasionally, deceased, incapacitated and former residents of the town have received votes - an avoidable error if candidacy papers had been properly filed.
There are six council seats up for filling, plus the position of mayor.
Historically, town residents interested in holding office have rarely registered as certified candidates on the ballot. Consequently, voters must write in candidates on a blank ballot. Whoever has their name written down the most time by voters is elected, assuming they qualify to hold a seat.
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