Deadline nears for election filings of Cape positions

Just a few days remain for mayor and city council candidate hopefuls in Cape Girardeau to finish gathering signatures and turn in petitions.

The deadline to file as a candidate for the April 8 municipal election is 5 p.m. Tuesday. The offices of mayor and three city council representatives will be decided in the election.

To become an official candidate, a person must meet age and residency requirements and gather at least 50 signatures of registered voters on a petition in their respective ward.

As of early Thursday afternoon, only one person had filed for the mayoral seat and each of the council seats.

Incumbent Mayor Harry Rediger and Ward 6 Councilman Wayne Bowen are seeking re-election, while newcomers have filed for the Ward 1 and Ward 2 seats. Joseph Uzoaru is the only candidate filed in Ward 1; Rocky Everett is the only candidate filed in Ward 2. The seats are being vacated by Ward 1 Councilman John Voss, who will be term-limited in April, and Ward 2 Councilwoman Meg Davis, who is not seeking re-election.

Ward 2 has so far drawn the most interest, with six people picking up nomination petitions in addition to Everett. One person aside from those who already have filed have picked up petitions for mayor and Ward 1, while Bowen is the only person for Ward 6.

Ward 1 includes an eastern and northeastern portion of the city; Ward 2 covers the downtown and southern sections. Ward 6 includes the west side of the city.

If more than two people file as candidates for any one seat, a primary election will be held Feb. 4.

The mayor and council members serve four-year terms on the seven-person board.

Nominating petitions can be turned in at city hall.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO