What does it take to file for an election?
According to the Barton County Election office, anyone wishing to be a candidate must first meet the residency requirements of the position they seek.
In addition, there are other requirements.
• For the City of Great Bend:
• Statement of Candidacy
• Statement of Substantial Interest
• Affidavit of-exemption from filing receipt and expenditure reports
• Filing fee of $10
• Or in lieu of filing fee, a petition signed by 50 qualified electors of council district, or a petition signed by a number of such qualified electors of the district equal to not less than 1 percent of the ballots cast in the district at the last city general election, whichever is fewer.
City of Hoisington:
• Statement of candidacy
• Statement of substantial interest
• Affidavit of exemption from filing receipt and expenditure reports
• Filing fee of $5
• Or in lieu of filing fee, a petition signed by 25 qualified electors of council district, or a petition signed by a number of such qualified electors of the district equal to not less than 10 percent of the ballots cast in the district at the last city general election, whichever is fewer.
City of Ellinwood:
• Statement of candidacy
• Statement of substantial interest
• Affidavit of exemption from filing receipt and expenditure reports
• Filing fee of $5
• Or in lieu of filing fee, a petition signed by 25 qualified electors of council district, or a petition signed by a number of such qualified electors of the district equal to not less than 10 percent of the ballots cast in the district at the last city general election, whichever is fewer.
Ellinwood Hospital:
All positions shall be at-large. Any person desiring to become a candidate shall file with the county election officer, either a petition signed by not less than 50 eligible electors or a declaration of intent to become a candidate together with a filing fee of $10
On April 1, 2014, there will be a general election for city council positions in the cities of Great Bend, Hoisington, and Ellinwood, and for elect two positions at large for the Ellinwood Hospital District Board of Trustees. The filing deadline for these elections is noon on Jan. 21.
According to Election Officer Donna Zimmerman, for the city elections, any registered voter residing in Great Bend or Hoisington, may file for election in the respective City Clerk’s Office and registered voters residing in Ellinwood may file either in the City Clerk’s Office, or the Barton County Clerk’s Office, Room 202, 1400 Main, Great Bend.
The following positions are open: One position for each of the four wards in the cities of Great Bend and Hoisington. Three positions at large for the City of Ellinwood.
If the number of candidates filing for office necessitates a primary election, the primary election will be held on Feb. 25.
Hoisington City Charter Ordinance No. 12 exempts the City of Hoisington, from holding a city primary election.
As for the Ellinwood hospital election, any registered voter residing in the Ellinwood Hospital District may file for election at Barton County Clerk’s Office. The a primary is called for, it will also be held on Feb. 25.
The Ellinwood Hospital District includes all of Lakin Township (including Ellinwood City) and all of Comanche Township except the west two tiers.
Any questions concerning the election or candidate qualifications may be directed to the County Clerk’s Office @ 620-793-1835.
