To: Candidates for Local Office
From: John Moe, City Clerk
Date: April 19, 2006
Re: Running for Local Office - Spring 2007

This memorandum contains information for the 2007 spring election. Enclosed with this memo you will find the three (3) forms necessary to run for local office. If you have any question please do not hesitate to contact me at 346-1569.

Campaign Registration Statement

All candidates are required to file a Campaign Registration Statement (EB-1) (170 KB File Requires Free Acrobat Reader) as soon as they form the intent to become a candidate and before any funds are collected or spent. All candidates should file a campaign registration statement before circulating nomination papers. The Campaign Registration Statement must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2007. If not filed by that time, the candidate's name will not be placed on the ballot.

Nomination Papers

The first day to circulate nomination papers (EB-169) (227 KB File Requires Free Acrobat Reader) for the spring election is December 1, 2006. Nomination papers must be submitted to the City Clerk's office by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2007.

Required Number of Signatures: Alderpersons - not less than 20, nor more than 40 electors; Mayor - not less than 200, nor more than 400 electors.

Qualified Electors: The signer of a nomination paper declares his/her intent to support the candidate named therein. The signer can only sign for one candidate per office. In addition to his/her signature, each signer shall list his/her residence, including the street and number, and the date of signing.

Certificate of Circulation: When finished circulating the sheet, the circulator is to sign and date (this needs to be either the same or after the date of the last signer on the page) the bottom of each nomination paper, stating that he/she personally circulated the paper and knows the signers are electors of the district.

Declaration of Candidacy

Each candidate must complete and file a Declaration of Candidacy (EB-162) (141 KB File Requires Free Acrobat Reader) by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2007. This document is a sworn declaration that he/she will qualify for the office if elected. This document is usually completed when he/she brings in his/her nomination papers.

Campaign Finance

For those that may decide not to file exempt from filing campaign finance reports you will need to file the following reports with the City Clerk's office:

Report   Due Date   Reporting Period July Continuing   July 20   Registration through June 30, 2006 or January 1, 2006 through June 30 January continuing   Jan. 31   Registration through December 31, 2006 or July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 Pre-Primary   Feb. 12   If there is a Primary- Jan. 1 through Feb. 5 or if there is no Primary then no report needs to be filed at this time Pre-Election   March 26   If there is a Primary - Feb. 6 through March 19 or if there is no Primary - Jan. 1 through March 19 July Continuing   July 20   March 20-June 30, 2007

Committees must file continuing reports until a termination report is filed with the Clerk's office.

Campaign Finance Instruction and Bookkeeping Manuals are available at the Clerk's office. If you have any questions or need further assistance you may contact the City Clerk's office at 346-1569 or the State Elections Board at 608-266-8005.

Other Election Information

Disclaimer, Political Materials/Ads: All political advertising must indicate the source of funds used to pay for it some place on the ad. If the candidate has a treasurer, advertising could be as follows: "Paid for by Jane Doe for Alderperson, Bill Smith, Treasurer" or "Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe, Bill Smith, Treasurer."

Order of Names on the Ballot: According to state law, names on the ballot are drawn by lot and must be held within a week after the close of nomination deadline. The drawing will be on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in the City Clerk's office. All candidates are welcome to attend.

Nicknames: A nickname is defined as a familiar or shortened form of a proper name by which an individual is commonly known. Names that are not familiar or shortened forms of the proper names such as "Red," "Skip," or "Lower Taxes," are not permitted. A nickname is a substitute for a legal name. It is not permissible to add the nickname in Quotes between first and last name. For Example, John "Jack" Jones is not acceptable, but Jack Jones is.

Mail-In Voting Registration Deadline: Registration and reporting a change of address for eligible voters for the Spring Election will close on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at 5:00 P.M., except at the City Clerk's office or at the polls on Election Day.

Announcement: When the candidate is ready to announce, the Stevens Point Journal, Portage County Gazette, and the local radio stations would appreciate hearing from each candidate. Please contact them personally.