With a number of candidates running uncontested for council seats across Humboldt County, the deadline for challengers is fast approaching.
Write-in candidates have until Tuesday to file the needed paperwork with their respective city clerk's office. Write-in candidates are required to collect 20 signatures for nomination and to file a declaration of write-in candidacy, according to Humboldt County Registrar of Voters Carolyn Crnich.
As of Friday afternoon, Charlie Bean was the only confirmed write-in candidate for any of the local council races. Bean joins the race for Eureka's Ward 2 seat against incumbent Linda Atkins and challenger Joe Bonino. Papers had not been filed by write-in candidates for the Arcata and Rio Dell elections, city officials confirmed, and in Trinidad, city staff could not confirm whether papers had been filed, but said that “it did not appear so.”
Humboldt State University California Government professor Kathleen Lee said in general, it is unfortunate that there is not more interest in local government.
At a glance: Important election dates
◼ Oct. 22: Last day to register for this election. A voter registration application must be submitted by midnight on the registration deadline day. Registration applications can be completed online, at the Humboldt County Elections Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles, public libraries and post offices.
◼ Oct. 23: Last to file as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates are required to collect 20 signatures for nomination and to file a declaration of write-in candidacy with their respective city clerk's office.
◼ Oct. 30: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot. To receive a vote-by-mail ballot after this date, the voter must apply directly to the elections department.
◼ Nov. 6: Election Day. Vote-by-mail ballots can no longer be dropped in the mail, but they can be returned to the elections department or any polling place in the county.
