Dropouts, write-ins change face of May 19 elections
By Curtis Riggs | April 1, 2009
April 9 last day to file for write-in candidates
CAREFREE – Voters will have a choice beyond the four names on the ballot in the May 19 town council elections.
For the first time in Carefree history, Carefree voters will be able to choose a registered write-in candidate to round out the council. Both John Traynor and Jim Peirce have already filed.
Carefree residents wanting to file as a write-in candidate for a council seat have until April 9 to do so.
Carefree Town Clerk Betsy Wise says there are some common misconceptions about electing write-in candidates. The first is a candidate must be registered with the town to be a valid write-in candidate. She reminds voters wanting to vote for a write-in candidate to also connect the arrow on the election ballot after the name is written in.
The two write-in candidates join first-time Carefree candidates Peter Koteas and Susan Vanik in seeking office on May 19. Council incumbents Bob Gemmill and David Schwan are also seeking re-election.
Carefree voters will also be deciding on an important change in town election procedures on May 19. Prop. 404 calls for Carefree voters to directly elect their mayor instead having them be selected by the town council.
Ballots will be mailed to 2,693 registered Carefree voters on May 4.
The last day to register to vote in the May 19 election is April 20.