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ELECTION 2007 - español
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The City's Board of Elections certified the results of the election to the City Council on November 8, 2007. Official Results (PDF) |
An election will be held in Takoma Park on November 6, 2007 to elect a Mayor and all six Councilmembers. Questions? Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 301-891-7267 or 301-891-7214 (or e-mail JessieC@takomagov.org) The regular term of the Councilmembers and the Mayor is two years or until their successors have been elected and duly sworn. Newly elected Councilmembers and the Mayor take office on the second Monday following their election. NEW! UPDATED ELECTION INFORMATION Polling Place - Vote 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6 The polls will be open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The only polling place for this election is the Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center, 7500 Maple Avenue. Voters may park in the rear of the building. Handicapped parking for voters is at the rear entrance and at the Grant Avenue entrance. |
| BALLOTS
Paper ballots will be used in the 2007 City Election. Ballots for each ward will contain the name of the candidate for Mayor and the name of Council candidates for that ward. A space will be provided for write-in votes. City elections are nonpartisan and no party labels will be displayed. Ballots are printed in English and Spanish. Instant Runoff Voting Ballot Format This election will be the first city-wide implementation of the new Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) system, which allows voters to rank candidates by order of choice. Although most races are uncontested in 2007, voters in all wards will receive ballots that provide the opportunity to rank candidates. The instructions on the ballot will say: “Vote for candidates by indicating your first-choice candidate, your second-choice candidate, and so on. To vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot, write the name in the space provided and indicate your ranking of the write-in candidate. You may rank only one candidate, but ranking additional candidates cannot help defeat your first choice.” We are using this format to keep the instructions the same on ballots for all six wards, and to help voters get accustomed to the new system. Remember that voters are free to rank only one candidate. Click here to view an instructional video about instant runoff voting in Takoma Park (Your Vote Counts: Introduction to IRV). • Ward 1 Emergency Absentee Ballot. Beginning October 31 and continuing through November 6, qualified voters who find they will be unable to vote in person for certain unavoidable reasons which occurred after October 31, may apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot. If the applicant does not apply and vote in person, he or she may designate in the application a registered voter of the City to act as agent in picking up and delivering the ballot (candidates and their families may not act as agents). The application must be completed and filed with the Clerk prior to issuance of a ballot to the agent. As with regular absentee voting, a ballot cannot be issued until the voter’s eligibility has been established, and the ballot must be returned to the City Clerk prior to the closing of the polls on Election Day. To designate an agent to submit an application and deliver the ballot, submit both forms: • Absentee Ballot Application (You must apply in person or designate an agent to bring the signed application and deliver your ballot.) |
Everything You Need to Know about the November 6, 2007 City Election Candidates Nominated at the October 2 Nominating Caucus2007 Election Calendar Absentee Ballots Voter Registration for Takoma Park residents – U.S. citizens and non-citizens Nominating Caucus Write-In Candidates in the Election Candidates for Office Election Day Instant Runoff Voting in City Elections Election Judges Needed For additional information about any facet of the election, contact the City Clerk’s Office at Clerk@takomagov.org or by calling 301-891-7267 or 301-891-7214. |
Candidates Nominated at the October 2, 2007 Nominating Caucus Mayor - Bruce R. Williams Ward 1 Councilmember - Josh Wright Ward 2 Councilmember - Colleen Clay Ward 3 Councilmember - Bridget Bowers, Dan Robinson Ward 4 Councilmember - Terry Seamens Ward 5 Councilmember - Reuben Snipper Ward 6 Councilmember - Doug Barry These names will appear on the ballot in the November 6 election, unless a candidate files a declination with the City Clerk before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 5. |
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Tuesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. - Nominating Caucus Friday, October 5, 5 p.m. - Deadline for candidates nominated at Caucus to withdraw. Declination must be filed in writing with the City Clerk's office. Monday, October 8 - Voter registration cut-off date. All new registrations and changes of address must have been received by Montgomery County Board of Supervisors of Elections (or postmarked by this date). Voter registration applications for non-U.S. Citizens must have been received by the City Clerk’s Office by this time. There will be no exceptions. Takoma Park residency must be met by Sunday, October 7, in order to vote in the election. Friday, October 12, 5 p.m. - Candidates’ financial disclosure statements due to City Clerk Friday, October 26, 5 p.m. - Candidates’ initial campaign contribution reports due to City Clerk - to include contributions received since the last preceding election to fill the office for which the candidate is running. Tuesday, October 30, 4 p.m. - Last day to make application for regular absentee ballot Wednesday, October 31 - Emergency absentee balloting begins Friday, November 2, 5 p.m. - Any write-in candidate for Mayor or Councilmember who wishes to be pre-registered as a write-in candidate and to have his/her name posted in the voting booth for the purpose of identifying him/her as a candidate for office, must file his/her name with the City Clerk by this deadline Tuesday, November 6, 2007, ELECTION DAY, Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Absentee ballots must be received by the City Clerk prior to the official closing of the polls on election day or postmarked before November 6.) Wednesday, November 7, 7:00 p.m. - Special meeting of the City Council to receive the certification of the election results. Friday, November 9, 5 p.m. - Deadline for contesting the results of the election and validity of absentee ballot voting Monday, November 12, 4 p.m. - Final campaign contribution report due to City Clerk Monday, November 19, 7:30 p.m. - Inauguration - Mayor and Councilmembers take office |
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Voters who may be absent from the City on election day or cannot personally vote at the polls on election day because of illness or physical disability may apply to vote by absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the City Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30. Emergency absentee balloting begins October 31 for voters required to be absent on the day of election for any reason of which the person becomes aware after the time for applying for an absentee ballot. Applications to vote by absentee ballot are available on-line or by contacting the City Clerk. Print the application and submit it by mail, by fax, or in person to the City Clerk's Office. After October 30, you must appear in person to apply. |
Voter Registration for Takoma Park residents – U.S. citizens and non-citizens. THE VOTER REGISTRATION CUT-OFF DATE IS OCTOBER 8. To vote in the November 6 election, the voter must be a qualified voter of the city and must have resided within the corporate limits of the City of Takoma Park for 30 days immediately preceding the election. The voter registration cut-off date is October 8. Changes of address must also be filed by this date. Voter registration or change of address forms are available in the Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center and in the City Library. U.S. Citizens: Any resident of Takoma Park who is a United States citizen may register to vote at the Board of Elections supervisors for Montgomery County any time these offices are open for business or by mail. Registration shall be permanent unless such registration shall be canceled as provided by state law. No person is entitled to vote unless properly registered. (Montgomery County Voter Registration Information) Non-U.S. Citizens: Any resident of Takoma Park who is not a United States citizen, and who is otherwise qualified to be registered as a voter in any election pursuant to Article I, Section I of the Constitution of Maryland, and Section 3-102 of Article 33, as amended, or any equivalent provision(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, may register with the City Clerk, who shall maintain a separate voter roll from the existing voter roll generated by the Montgomery County Board of Elections, to include the names of those non-United States Citizens. Election by Wards There are six wards and Councilmembers are elected by the voters of their respective wards. This means that only those persons registered at an address in a particular ward may vote for a Councilmember who is to represent that ward. If a person is registered at an address in one ward and has moved to a different ward without notifying the Montgomery County Board of Elections (U.S. citizens) or the City Clerk (Non-U.S. Citizens, as applies, she/he must vote in the ward in which she/he is registered. It will not be possible to transfer your registration from one ward to another after the registration cut-off date on Monday, October 8. On election day, you will be required to vote according to the address which is reflected on the certified voter roll. If you have questions about your registration, please contact the appropriate registration authority. |
Nominating Caucus - October 2, 2007, 7:30 p.m., Auditorium, Takoma Park Community Center--Sam Abbott Citizens' Center **The Nominating Caucus was held on October 2 as scheduled. See "Candidates Nominated" above. The Nominating Caucus will convene at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 to accept nominations of candidates for Mayor and Councilmember. The Nominating Caucus will be held in the Council Chamber/Auditorium of the Takoma Park Community Center–Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center, 7500 Maple Avenue. Only qualified voters of the city present at the Nominating Caucus may make or second a motion, nominate or second the nomination of a candidate, or vote on a motion. To participate in the caucus, your registration or change of address form must be in the hands of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, or for non-U.S. Citizens, voter registration applications must be received by the City Clerk, by the close of day ( 5 p.m.) on Monday, October 1. Nominations of candidates for Mayor shall be made on motion by any qualified voter of the city, and if such nomination is seconded by a qualified voter of the City, the person so nominated shall be considered a candidate. Nomination of each candidate for Councilmember shall be made on motion of any qualified voter of her/his ward, and if such nomination is seconded by a qualified voter of his/her ward, the person so nominated shall be considered a candidate. Any nominated candidate may decline a nomination during the nomination meeting. A person may only accept a nomination of one city office. The name of each person nominated for the office of Mayor and Councilmember shall be placed upon the official ballot unless he/she shall file a declination with the City Clerk within three (3) days after his/her nomination. Any person nominated as a candidate must meet the qualifications of the office for which she/he is nominated. |
Write-In Candidates in the Election Any write-in candidate for Mayor or Councilmember who wishes to be pre-registered as a write-in candidate and to have her/his name posted in the voting booth for the purpose of identifying her/him as a candidate for office, must file her/his name with the City Clerk by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to the election. Any person nominated or presenting herself/himself as a write-in candidate must meet the qualifications of the office for which s/he is nominated. A person whose name appears on the ballot may not register as a write-in candidate, and a person may only register as a write-in candidate for one office in any election. |
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Candidates for the office of Mayor must have resided in the city for at least six months immediately preceding his/her election, and must be a qualified voter of the city. The Mayor must maintain principal residence in the city during his/her term of office. If the Mayor changes his/her principal residence from the city, the Mayor’s term shall be immediately terminated and the vacancy shall be filled as provided in Section 308 of the City Charter. The Mayor is prohibited from holding other publicly elective offices during his/her term of office, and is prohibited from serving on any city board, commission, or other body that has authority to adjudicate or otherwise resolve disputes. Candidates for the office of Councilmember shall have resided in the city (and ward from which they are elected) for at least six months immediately preceding their election and shall be qualified voters of the city. The Councilmembers shall maintain their principal residence in the city and in their ward during their term of office. If a Councilmember changes his/her principal residence from the city or from the ward from which the Councilmember was elected, the Councilmember’s term shall be immediately terminated and the vacancy shall be filled as provided in Section 308 of the City Charter. The Councilmembers are prohibited from holding other publicly elected offices during their term of office, and are prohibited from serving on any city board, commission, or other body that has authority to adjudicate or otherwise resolve disputes. Individuals who are interested in placing their name in nomination for candidacy at the Nominating Caucus may contact the City Clerk to obtain additional information for candidates. |
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Tuesday, November 6, 2007 is Election Day. The election will be held at the Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center, 7500 Maple Avenue. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. City elections are nonpartisan, and no party labels will be displayed on the ballot. Write-in votes are permitted in city elections. A voter may write-in the name of any [candidate] person for the office of Mayor or Councilmember in the method provided by the City Clerk on election day. |
Instant Runoff Voting in City Elections The City Council amended the City Charter in 2006 to adopt an instant runoff voting system for elections. Voters will have the opportunity to rank candidates by order of choice. The candidate receiving a majority of votes for Mayor shall be declared elected. The candidate for Council receiving a majority of votes in each ward shall be declared elected. The first choice marked on each ballot shall be counted initially as one vote. If any candidate receives a majority of the first choices, that candidate shall be declared elected. If no candidate receives a majority of first choices, the judges of election shall conduct an instant runoff consisting of additional rounds of ballot counting. In every round of counting, each ballot is counted as one vote for that ballot’s highest ranked advancing candidate. “Advancing candidate” means a candidate for that office who has not been eliminated. A candidate receiving a majority of valid votes in a round shall be declared elected. |
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