The Webster Progress-Times

March 4 is the qualifying deadline for 2005 municipal elections.

Candidate qualifying for mayor and alderman in Eupora, Mathiston, Walthall, Mantee, Maben and other Mississippi municipalities officially began with the new year. Mathiston and Walthall also elect marshals.

The qualifying deadline will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 4. The general election will be June 7. Municipal officers elected this year will begin a new four-year term on July 4.

Prospective candidates wishing to qualify to seek municipal office as a party candidate, such as Democrat or Republican, must do so by filling out and filing a qualifying statement of intent and paying a $10 filing fee at their local city clerk's office.

Independent candidates do not have to pay a filing fee, but they must file a petition with the municipal clerk by the filing deadline. The petition must be signed by at least 15 registered voters in their respective municipality or ward, depending on the office they are seeking. Petitions are available at city clerk offices.

These are key dates in this municipal election season, according to information from the secretary of state's office:

€ March 4 at 5 p.m.: Qualifying deadline for both party and independent candidates.

€ April 25: Municipalities that will not conduct party primaries must have absentee ballots for the general election prepared and available by this date.

€ May 2 at 5 p.m.: Deadline for receipt of mailed absentee ballots by municipal clerks in order to be counted for the primary election, which, if necessary, will be May 3.

€ May 7 at noon: Vote registration deadline for general election.

€ May 28: Municipal clerks' offices will be open until noon for absentee voting.

€ June 4 at noon: Deadline for casting absentee ballots for the general election in the municipal clerks' offices.

June 6 at 5 p.m.: Deadline for receipt of mailed absentee ballots by municipal clerks in order to be counted for the general election.

June 7: General election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 4: Municipal officers' terms begin.