Next week, those interested in running for a seat on the Bethel City Council can officially declare their candidacy for office.
Declaration of candidacy packets will become available on Tuesday, July 31. They can be printed from the city’s website, or picked up in person from the city clerk’s office at city hall. Candidates have between August 5 and August 20 to submit their paperwork.
Four of the seven council seats will be open for election.
At Tuesday’s Bethel City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Fred Watson urged candidates to file early and begin campaigning.
“So I encourage everybody that’s interested in running for council to please do so," he said. "A big pool is better than a pool of few.”
Council member Mitchell Forbes echoed Watson’s statement. Forbes said that he often gets stopped by constituents in the grocery store to share their ideas for the city. He asked people to take those ideas and file.
“If you have a thought about something that you want to see changed, ask someone to do it, or do it yourself and run," Forbes said. "So I’d encourage folks to take some active involvement.”
Eligible candidates must be at least 18 years old, a qualified voter in the State of Alaska, and have resided within the city of Bethel for at least one year preceding filing for office.
Bethel City Clerk Lori Strickler will host brown bag lunches on August 8 and August 16 at city hall to explain the process of running for city council and to answer questions on the role of city council members.
Municipal elections are October 2.
