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Commission approves changes to candidate petition thresholds and filing fees on first reading
Summary
Commissioners approved, on first reading, amendments to election rules raising candidate petition signature requirements, increasing filing fees to 2% of the position’s salary, and creating a $500 sign-bond to ensure post-election sign removal.
The City Commission approved on first reading an ordinance that amends local election rules to increase the number of petition signatures required to qualify for municipal office and to change the campaign filing fee structure. Assistant City Attorney Andrew Gorchick summarized the measure: petition-signature requirements will increase to 50 for commissioner candidates and 100 for mayoral candidates; the candidate filing fee, previously $25, will be changed to a percentage of the office salary (2%); and the city will require a $500 signed bond to ensure campaign signs are removed within 10 days after an election or face forfeiture of the bond. Gorchick said the bond must be paid from a candidate’s personal funds and candidates must sign an affidavit acknowledging the requirement. If signs remain beyond the 10-day removal window the candidate risks forfeiture of the bond. Commissioners approved the ordinance on first reading. The ordinance will return for second reading and final adoption at a subsequent meeting.
