Municipal filing period slated to start Wednesday

Candidates must submit paperwork to SFC Clerk’s office before May 23

The filing period for municipal offices in Forrest City, Wheatley and Hughes begins Wednesday.

The filing period for the other cities in St. Francis County, including Palestine, Caldwell, Colt, Madison and Widener, will be held in August, according to the St. Francis County Clerk’s office.

Those interested in seeking election to the offices of mayor, city clerk and city council seats in the three cities filing during this period may begin submitting their paperwork Wednesday morning at the SFC Clerk’s office.

Filing begins at 8 a.m., and continues through noon on Monday, May 23.

Candidates filing for office in cities of the first class, such as Forrest City, are required to obtain signatures of 30 electors of the ward or city. Candidates in cities of the second class are required to secure signatures of 10 electors of the ward or city.

Forrest City officials up for election this year include mayor Cedric Williams, city clerk Derene Cochran and council members Ronald Williams, Jason Evansingston, Justin Reeves and Lowry Astin.

In Wheatley, the mayor and recorder/treasurer positions are up for election as are the five seats on the city council. Larry Nash is the city’s mayor and Judy Baynes is recorder/treasurer. The city council members are Faron Hamilton, Rodney Hicks, John Clifton, Lanette Lee and James Smith.

Hughes residents will also vote on mayor and city clerk/treasurer this year along with six council seats. The city’s mayor is Lincoln Barnett and the clerk/treasurer is Sherry Thomas. The council seats are currently held by Deon Lee, Dorothy Robinson, Irene Combs, Jesse White, Earnestine Jackson and Sheryl Owens.

Candidates for municipal offices in the county’s other cities will file for office in August. That filing period begins Wednesday, Aug. 3 and continues through noon on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Candidates are required to file a petition, a political practice pledge and an affidavit of eligibility.

The municipal elections will be decided during the general election on Nov. 8.