Nominating petitions available for council seats

Southeast Missourian

Nominating petitions for seats on the Cape Girardeau City Council will be available at city hall starting Monday, city clerk Gayle Conrad announced.

Three of the seven council members -- Mayor Jay Knudtson, Ward 2 Councilman Charlie Herbst and Ward 6 Councilwoman Marcia Ritter -- will not be eligible to run for re-election because of term limits. A fourth seat, held by Ward 1 Councilman John Voss, will also be up for election in 2010.

To be eligible for the ballot, a candidate must be at least 21, a resident of the city for two years and a resident of the ward for at least 90 days. Candidates must obtain the signatures of 50 registered voters to be on the ballot.

Petitions will be accepted from Oct. 20 to Nov. 17. If more than two candidates file for an office, a primary election will be held Feb. 2, 2010, with the general election scheduled for April 6, 2010.