TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH
ELECTION INFORMATION - 2012
General Election - Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Pursuant to Town Charter, elected candidates shall take office at the beginning of the next official meeting following the municipal election at which they were elected, to-wit: regular meeting – Wednesday, November 21, 2012. (Reference: Section 2.03 of Town Charter)
Offices Open – Two Town Commissioner-at-Large seats currently held by April Evans and Jean Marshall. When more than one office is being voted on such as that of town commission seats, those candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be deemed elected. Accordingly, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
Term of Office - Three years, through November 2015.
Qualifications - Members of the Town Commission shall have been residents of the Town for at least six continuous months immediately prior to the date of qualification for office and shall have the qualifications of a Town Elector (18 years of age and a registered voter). Qualified candidates shall also submit a sworn statement as to their willingness to serve if elected and execute a loyalty oath as required by Section 876.05 Florida Statutes. (Reference: Section 2.02 of Town Charter)
Nominating Petitions - Every candidate for elective town office shall file with the Town Clerk a petition signed by not less than 25 qualified electors of the town requesting the Town Commission to place the name of such candidate upon the official ballot. Extra signatures should be obtained in the event some citizens are not qualified. Qualified electors are not to sign more than one petition. Signatures on all nominating petitions shall not be collected prior to filing the appointment of Campaign Treasurer/Designation of Campaign Depository form and the loyalty oath with the Town Clerk. (Reference: Section 13-2 of Code of Ordinances)
Qualifying Fee/State Assessment - $31. Florida Statutes require an assessment of one percent (1%) of the annual salary of the office being sought. This assessment is deposited into the Elections Commission Trust Fund. A Town Commissioner's annual salary is $3,100, which equates to a $31 assessment. [Reference Section 13-6(c) of Code of Ordinances and Section 99.093(1) Florida Statutes] Qualifying fee must be paid by check drawn on the campaign account.
Qualifying Period - Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 12 noon through Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 12 noon (89th day to 77th day prior to election date).
Candidates shall file qualifying papers and qualifying fee with the Town Clerk. Qualifying papers consist of willingness to serve statement, loyalty oath, financial disclosure, and appointment of campaign treasurer forms, etc.
A candidate may announce their candidacy prior to the official qualifying period. However, no campaign funds may be collected or disbursed until the candidate has named a treasurer and depository and filed the appropriate forms with the City Clerk. The appointment of campaign treasurer/designation of campaign depository form must be submitted to the Town Clerk prior to opening a campaign account.
State law requires candidates for municipal office to comply with state regulations and accounting instructions for candidates and committees as set forth in Florida Statutes.
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