It is time to start considering running for your local councils and town boards.
The April 2, 2024 municipal election will be the last one held in the spring for the City of Yuma. Earlier this decade voters approved a measure moving Yuma’s municipal election to November, beginning in 2025. That way, the city is tied in with other coordinated elections and save on costs.
There is one more to go this year, however, with the mayoral seat and three seats on the council up for election. The mayoral seat currently is held by Ron Swehla, and the council seats by Dan Baucke, Tim McClung, and Marc Shay, who currently is Mayor Pro-tem.
Due to the move to November elections, the mayoral seat will be back up for election in November 2025, and the three council seats will be up again in November 2027. Council members whose seats will be up for election in November 2025 are Marylu Smith-Dischner, Terri Frame and Jerome Benish. They were elected in April 2022.
Persons interested in running for those positions may pick up a nomination form at Yuma City Hall, 320 S. Main St. during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Nomination petitions require a minimum 25 signatures from registered electors living in Yuma. Candidates are encouraged to gather more than the required minimum in case some are thrown out.
Candidates must be a registered voter living within the City of Yuma for at least 12 consecutive months preceding the date of the election, and at least 18 years old on the date of the election.
Nomination petitions are due back to Yuma City Hall by close of business on Monday, January 22, so do not delay.
The Otis Council has three seats up for election. Two are currently held by Zach Chapman and Dave Allen, with the third open. All three seats carry a four-year term. Get your nomination petitions at Otis Town Hall, 425 Washington St. Petitions are due back January 22. Otis electors also will have a ballot question asking to reduce the board to five members.
The Town of Eckley Board of Trustees has four trustee seat coming open and also the mayor’s seat. All open position are two-year terms. The current members with open seats are Mayor Bud Hagemeier, and Trustees Cheryl Rogers, Tyler Shell, Morgan Spencer, and Tim Probasco, who also is the Mayor Pro-tem. Petitioner must live and be a registered voter in the town of Eckley. Petitions are now available at town hall 235 Morton St. Eckley. All petition must be returned to town hall by January 22 at 12 p.m.