I just got a copy of "The Selma News" and saw the headline: "Selma candidate filings not valid". Fortunately, it was not referring to me. It seems that two town council candidates and one mayoral candidate filed for election at the town hall on Friday, just after 11 AM. The deadline was Friday at noon. OK, here is the catch: the filings have to be in to the County Board of Elections by noon, not just at the town hall. This is the last election where candidates are allowed to file at the local town hall. In the future, all filings must be made at the County Board of Elections.
The Board declared two of the filings invalid. A third individual had filed for town council and later pulled out of the race. So, one town council challenger and one mayoral challenger have been told that their names will NOT be on the ballot in November.
There is a hearing on the 16th at the Board offices in Smithfield at noon. I will try to be there. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops.
As a matter of self interest, it would make sense for me to desire one less candidate. However, in the interest of fairness, the two candidates did file before noon time and should be included in the election. If candidates are allowed to file in the town hall, then the deadline should apply to filing in the town hall, not necessarily at the Board offices. That is only fair and appropriate. However, it seems that the Board is playing "hard ball" about this issue.
I have filled out an application for a booth at the Selma Railroad Days festival. I plan on being available to voters to meet and talk to. I have made arrangements for a tent and table already. Railroad Day is on Saturday, October 1st.
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