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Municipal qualifying begins Monday
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In November, the cities of Richmond Hill and Pembroke will both host municipal elections, and the first step begins Monday with qualifying in both cities.

Anyone wishing to qualify to run for election can do so Monday-Friday next week at the applicable city hall, though times and fees vary.

All five seats on the Pembroke council, as well as the mayor’s, are up for grabs, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, city residents can file for election by seeing qualifying officer and City Clerk Betty Hill at Pembroke City Hall.

There, residents can pick up the proper paperwork, which Hill said is “fairly simple” to fill out, and also pay the qualifying fee. Those qualifying for council seats must pay $72, and those seeking the mayoral seat must pay $144, she said.

All seats are four-year terms, and anyone qualifying must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Pembroke, Hill said. Other requirements to qualify include being a registered voter and living in the district in which they wish to run for election, she said.

In Richmond Hill, seats for posts 3 and 4, currently held by Jimmy Hires and Marilyn Hodges, respectively, are up for grabs

Anyone throwing their hat in the ring can see City Clerk Ursula Lee from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at Richmond Hill City Hall to qualify.

Lee said qualifiers will have to fill out an application, which she also described as simple, and pay the qualifying fee of $150.

Those seeking seat for the four-year terms in Richmond Hill must be at least 18 years old, a registered voter and a resident of the city for at least 24 months, she said.

Lee said any time of day is fine to qualify but noted she is out of the office from noon-1 p.m. each day and that she is the only one who can qualify a person for elections.

Upon qualifying, Lee said candidates will be presented a handbook and election packet that provides all necessary information.

Qualifying for both cities ends at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

For more information about qualifying in Pembroke, call city hall at 653-4417. In Richmond Hill, call city hall at 756-3345.

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