Council reviews 2025 election process, candidate filing dates; cost, county interlocal still under review

Bluff Town Council members received an update on the 2025 election process at the May 13 special meeting as staff continued to evaluate whether the town should run its own local election or use San Juan County services.

Town Manager Erin Nelson said the candidate declaration period will run June 2 through June 6 and that candidates must come to the Bluff offices to file paperwork and disclosures. Nelson told the council the Office of the Lieutenant Governor provides deadlines and routine trainings; she recommended staff or councilmembers attend those trainings if the town chooses to run its own election and to better assess staff bandwidth and costs.

Nelson said the town has an existing line of communication with the lieutenant governor’s office and that the required public notice before May had been completed. She reported the previously circulated interlocal agreement with the county included an estimated cost "under $4,000," but that the council had received an unexpectedly higher figure in a recent county conversation and would continue exploring options. Nelson said staff will provide estimated costs for running the election locally at the next meeting.

Council discussion noted that if the town holds a primary — triggered if more than two candidates file for a single seat — costs would roughly double because two elections would be required. Nelson emphasized that candidate filing is a serious process and urged potential candidates to be committed to running. No formal action or change to the town’s interlocal agreement was made during the May 13 meeting.