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CITY OF LEWISTON INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION FIRST DAY NOMINATION PAPERS ISSUED FOR CIRCULATION AND FILING: MONDAY, JULY 11, 2011 LAST FILING DATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 (4:30 P.M.) ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011 NUMBER OF SIGNATURES NEEDED: FOR MAYOR: Must be signed by not less than 100 nor more than 200 qualified voters of Lewiston. All candidates must be at least 20 years old and must have registered and qualified to vote on or prior to March 9, 2011. FOR CITY COUNCILOR: Must be signed by not less than 50 nor more than 100 qualified voters of your ward. All candidates must be at least 20 years old and must have registered and qualified to vote in their respective ward on or prior to June 9, 2011 FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Must be signed by not less than 50 nor more than 100 qualified voters of your ward. All candidates must be at least 20 years old and must have registered and qualified to vote in their respective ward on or prior to June 9, 2011 FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE - AT LARGE: Must be signed by not less than 50 nor more than 100 qualified voters of Lewiston. All candidates must be at least 20 years old and must have registered and qualified to vote on or prior to June 9, 2011 PLEASE PLAN TO FILE YOUR NOMINATION PAPERS EARLY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TIME TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES, IF NECESSARY. Please see the other side of this sheet for additional information. Questions: Elections Division, Lewiston City Clerk’s Department 513-3124 ---PAGE BREAK--- IMPORTANT NOTES FOR EACH CANDIDATE: COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES • The voter may sign as many nomination papers for each office as the voter chooses, regardless of the number of vacancies to be filled. • The petition circulator must witness the signature of each person who signs the nomination petition. Petition forms may not be left in stores, on counters, etc. and picked up later. • It is unlawful for one person to sign another person’s names to a petition (this includes the signature of one’s spouse). • Be sure that the person who circulates the nomination petition signs said petition in the presence of a Notary Public or Attorney at Law. CITY CHARTER REQUIREMENTS • No person who holds an appointive office in the city government or is an employee of the city shall be eligible to be a candidate for or hold an elective office in the city government. A person holding an elective office shall be eligible, during his/her term of office to become a candidate for the same or another elective office. (Sec 2.05) • No person shall be a candidate for more than one city elective office in the same city election. (Sec. 2.05) • Any elected official or their spouse who has a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with the city or in the purchase or sale of any land, material, supplies or services to the city or to a contractor supplying the city, shall make known that interest and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in his/her capacity as an elected official, in the making of such purchase or sale or in the making or performance of such contract. (Sec. 8.04) • Any person convicted of any crimes involving falsification in official matters, bribery, corrupt practices or obstructing governmental administration, as these crimes are defined in the Revised Statutes of Maine, as amended, shall be ineligible for a period of two years following said conviction to hold an city office or employment, except as otherwise provided by law. (Sec. 8.05b) CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Campaign finance reporting requirements are in effect once a person “qualifies by nomination petition as a candidate” or “acts in any capacity as a candidate”. If the candidate is planning to solicit and collect campaign contributions while gathering signatures for the nomination petition, then the person is “acting as a candidate” and is subject to follow the Maine State Campaign Finance regulations. Informational material is available from the City Clerk’s Office and candidates should request this material before collecting campaign donations. Once a candidate qualifies by nomination petition (correct number of signatures are verified) , this material will be sent automatically to the candidate by the City Clerk’s Office. WARD BOUNDARIES A city ward map and a written street description of the ward boundaries are available on the city’s website at www.ci.lewiston.me.us/clerk/voter.htm