Election Info 2021 FINAL
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Quick Facts
Three City Council Seats
4 Year Terms beginning
January 2022
Filing period is 8/23 – 9/3
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Quick Facts
Candidates must file the Declaration of Candidacy with a $40 filing fee, or file along Petition of Candidacy with verified signatures
Contributions or expenditures over $500 require reporting via the Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Portal
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What’s New?
House Bill 413 (2020)
Cities over 100,000 population to elect city councilors
by district
This does not apply to the City of Meridian during the 2021 election
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Elected Official Pay and Benefits
Annual Compensation of $16,125 in 2022, and $17,355 in 2023
Same benefits of regular, full-time City Employees
Exception: Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
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Elected Official Responsibilities
Act as legislative and policy-making branch of government of the city
Meeting Participation
Meetings held the first four Tuesdays of each month
4:30 (Work Session) and 6:00 (Regular Meeting)
Special meetings with other agencies (ACHD, WASD, etc.)
Department Liaison appointments
Appointments to other boards (Meridian Development Corporation, Valley Regional Transit, etc.)
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Thoughts from a Former City Councilmember
William L.M. Nary served on the Meridian City Council from 2002 – 2004, before being appointed City Attorney.
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The Election Process for Candidates
Declaration of Candidacy places your name on the ballot
Petition of Candidacy saves you $40
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The Election Process for Candidates
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Petition for Candidacy
In lieu of $40 filing fee, this form is filed with signatures from five (5) or more qualified electors
Must be a qualified elector
Must be Meridian residents (within city limits)
Qualified electors can sign multiple petitions
Candidate can sign their own petition
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Declaration of Candidacy
The form which places your name on the ballot
Declare the seat you are seeking election for
Verifies your address against voter registration
Acknowledge campaign finance rules
Certifies information as true and accurate
Must be notarized
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Write-In Candidates
Candidate must file as write-in candidate for votes to be counted
Not required to file petition of candidacy or pay fee
Must file declaration by September 10
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Withdrawal of Candidacy
Deadline to withdraw candidacy: September 17
After that date, name will remain on ballot
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Idaho Campaign Finance
All money raised or spent over $500 requires reporting
Must appoint Treasurer (can be candidate)
Maximum contribution is $1,000 per individual, business, or political committee
The Secretary of State has a daily fine of $50 for late filing
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I place my campaign signs?
No signage can be placed on public or private property without permission.
No signage may be placed on any city property.
If a public utility grants permission for one candidate, they must allow all candidates for the same office to place signage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there term limits for City Council?
No. The term limits statute was repealed by the 2002 Idaho Legislature.
There are no restrictions on the number of terms an elected city councilor may serve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My name is Margaret, but people know me as Maggie. Can I run as “Maggie”?
The name on the ballot must appear exactly as it is written on the Declaration of Candidacy.
File your declaration as you wish your name to appear on the official ballot.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can notarize my declaration or petition?
Any Notary duly authorized by the State of Idaho can notarize your documents, including City Clerk’s Office staff.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I campaign on Election Day?
Yes. However “electioneering” is a criminal offense.
You may not campaign or distribute materials within a building where an election is being held, nor may you do so within 100 feet of a polling place, regardless of the location being
public or private property.
Please note: This also applies to Early Voting or In-Person
Absentee Voting locations while voting is taking place.
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Dotted line represents 100’ from City Hall Entrance
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can residents of Meridian’s Area of Impact vote for City Council candidates?
No. Idaho Code does not allow nonresidents to vote in City elections.
It is important to note that having a Meridian ZIP code does not correlate to being a Meridian resident.
Those in doubt should verify their address with Ada County Elections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run for multiple seats?
Can I change my seat?
A candidate may only be listed on the ballot for one office.
A Candidate must declare the seat they are seeking on their declaration of candidacy.
A candidate may change the seat for which they are seeking election
Withdraw declaration of candidacy
File new declaration with corresponding petition for candidacy or $40 filing fee
Complete this process by the filing deadline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the vote ends in a tie?
The City Clerk will give notice to the candidates to appear before City Council in order to resolve the tie with a coin flip
(Idaho Code 50-410).
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the term of office begin?
Elected City Council members will be sworn into office at the first Regular Meeting of 2022.
City Clerk will remain in contact with elected officials to confirm time, location, and attendance.
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