City Council candidate filing open in Houston following election rules update

Though it is only mid-way through the summer, the upcoming October elections are weighing on the minds of voters. In Houston, people have a limited time to decide if they are going to throw their names into the ring for the three open council seats.

The change follows an election calendar update approved by the City Council during the June 12 council meeting. Potential candidates who want to run for office in Houston have until 5 p.m. on July 15 to file a candidacy packet.

The update moves the filing period up by nearly three weeks, and adds four days for candidates to submit their paperwork.

The ordinance was introduced by Houston Mayor Carter Cole, who said it would help reduce the workload for the city clerk, Tami Schoneman, and her staff leading up to elections.

The ordinance passed 5–2 during the June 12 regular city council meeting, with council members Sandy McDonald and Lisa Johansen opposing the ordinance, saying that the ordinance, in addition to timeline updates, reduces the time required to publish election notices from 30 days to 20 days.

There are three seats on the council up for election: Deputy Mayor David Childs, council member Sandy McDonald, and council member Laurie Faubert. The seats are three-year terms each.

Houston residents interested in running for council must be a qualified City voter as provided in Houston Municipal Code (HMC) 3.13.010, be a resident of Houston, or a territory annexed to the City, for one year immediately prior to the election.

They must also file a Declaration of Candidacy Form with the City Clerk in accordance with HMC 3.13.015-3.13.020, and provide additional information as required by the city clerk. There may be additional information needed as required by Alaska Public Offices Commission.

This year, elections will be held on October 7 at Houston City Hall.

To learn more about candidate requirements, see the City of Houston website, which can only be accessed via the City of Houston, AK Facebook page.