Monday, August 16 is the first day for those intending to run for positions on the 44th Greenbelt City Council to officially begin the process of qualifying as candidates. In a short time, both incumbents and challengers will be filling out forms and circulating petitions in order to qualify as candidates and have their names placed on the ballot for the Tuesday, November 2 election.
Although the minimum age for voting in city elections was lowered to 16, the minimum age for running for office in Greenbelt remains 18.
Packets containing all the necessary information and forms for running will be available at City Clerk Bonita Anderson’s office in the Municipal Building, 25 Crescent Road, beginning Monday, August 16. The last day for submitting the required materials is Monday, September 27 at 5 p.m. For more information, visit the city website at greenbeltmd.gov or call 301-474-8000.
As soon as the September 27 filing deadline has passed, the election ballot can be established. With the oversight of the city’s Board of Elections, candidates will draw by lottery to determine their places on the ballot.
Once certified, candidates are required to file reports of contributions and expenditures. The penalties are severe for not submitting these reports on time and may carry hefty financial penalties or removal from the ballot.