Filing deadline nears for local offices

In all, there are 24 political subdivisions that will hold candidate elections in Cape Girardeau County April 3. The elections range from seats on local fire protection district boards to town councils. The only countywide election is for two seats on the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center Board of Trustees. Incumbent Roland Sander was the only candidate as of late last week. Diane Howard is the other incumbent.

Most candidates must file their paperwork at the offices of the local political subdivision, said Patty Schlosser, director of elections for the county. As of Thursday, no local district has asked for a tax or bond vote on the April ballot, she said.

In Jackson, 14-year veteran Mayor Paul Sander is stepping aside. Alderman David Reiminger, Alderwoman Barbara Lohr and businessman John Graham are the three candidates seeking the two-year post.

In the city's Third Ward, 16-year veteran Valerie Tuschoff is being challenged by Mark Dambach for a two-year term.

Each local entity has slightly different rules for filing. Some require notarized declarations of candidacy, while others do not, Schlosser said,

In some of the smaller jurisdictions, if no candidate has filed for office, the post can be filled by write-in candidates. No declaration of candidacy is needed prior to the election to win those contests, Schlosser said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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