Yes, it is January, and yes, the nonpartisan town election is not until Nov. 7. But the filing period is in July, a short two weeks, and it takes a lot of time for possible candidates to decide to run and then create a committee, appoint a treasurer and complete all the other required details.
This is the early warning signal for the election where we will elect a mayor and two commissioners, currently Mayor Vivian Jones and Commissioners Margaret Stinnett and Jim Thompson. The Gazette sent emails to those three asking about their plans.
Jones responded Tuesday afternoon. “I do plan to run for re-election this year. I still have ideas about ways the Town of Wake Forest can go forward and I have been encouraged to continue by a number of citizens. I love Wake Forest and I believe our best days are still ahead. It is my honor and privilege to serve and continue to work with regional and state officials as we address the issues we will face over the next few years.” Stinnett and Thompson had not responded by press time.
The elections for town elected officials are held on a two-year staggered schedule with three seats up for election in odd-numbered years. The filing fee for mayoral candidates is $50 and town commissioner candidates pay $15. This year the filing period runs from July 7 through July 21. Each commissioner and the mayor serve four-year terms. Because there are no districts, the two candidates for commissioner with the most votes are elected.
The mayor’s salary is $10,000 per year and each commissioner is paid $8,000. Elected officials may choose to get health insurance coverage through the town’s plan for employees, Town Clerk Deeda Harris said.
The election on Nov. 7 will be conducted by the Wake County Board of Elections. If you want to make sure you can vote in this important election for the town – all town elections are important – make sure you are registered to vote. If you are not registered, you may do so easily online at www.wakegov.com, or at any library, the Wake County Board of Elections office in Raleigh, any public high school or college admissions office, and at any state Department of Motor Vehicles office, any department of social services or public health, vocational rehabilitation office, services for the blind and the deaf and hard of hearing, mental health, and the Employment Security Commission.
However, there were a number of instances in the 2016 election where the DMV had not properly sent on voter registrations. You can be sure you are registered if you do it on line or in person with the county elections board. You will also receive confirmation in the form of a voter registration card.
