Prescott Valley Clerk's Office outlines candidate filing steps for 2026 town election

A Town Clerk's Office staff member said the Town of Prescott Valley will hold its primary election Aug. 4, 2026, when voters will choose one mayor for a four-year term, two council members for four-year terms and one council member for a two-year term.

The tutorial explained why the information matters: prospective candidates must meet eligibility requirements, collect valid nomination petition signatures and file a set of forms within a specific window to appear on the 2026 ballot.

The clerk's presentation listed basic qualifications for candidates: be a qualified elector when filing nomination paperwork, be at least 18 years old, have been a Prescott Valley resident for at least one year immediately preceding the election, and not hold another public office that conflicts with the council role. The video also noted that a person convicted of a felony may be ineligible unless their civil rights have been restored under Arizona law.

To begin a campaign, prospective candidates must obtain a Town Council candidate packet from the Town Clerk's Office, by email, appointment, or at an open-house event advertised on the town's website and social media. Before collecting signatures, a candidate must submit a statement of interest; the clerk said signatures gathered before that statement is filed are invalid and may be challenged under Arizona law.

The tutorial described petition requirements and options: candidates must collect nomination petition signatures (the video lists a minimum of 444 and a maximum of 887 signatures) and may collect them electronically using the eQual platform or on paper. When using paper petitions, the clerk advised that information on the paper forms must match the electronic records. All required forms must be properly executed and submitted with nomination petitions during the official filing period.

The filing window given in the video runs from March 7, 2026, through no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026. The clerk said candidates who complete filings during that period will have their names included on the official ballot for the Aug. 4, 2026, election. The video also reminded viewers that the Clerk's Office cannot provide legal advice and that candidates are responsible for researching and complying with election laws, including state campaign finance rules.

The tutorial concluded with a general encouragement to participate in local government and a reminder to review the candidate packet carefully and verify any specifics with the Town Clerk's Office.