High Springs Commission election qualifying period set for June

HIGH SPRINGS – Any citizen who has always wanted to have more of a say in their local government should make plans to step up to the plate soon. Resolution 2014-E, which details the election date and qualifying period for two High Springs City Commission seats, was approved at the May 22 commission meeting.

This year Commissioners Bob Barnas and Linda Gestrin's three-year terms are coming to a close. Although the actual election isn't until Nov. 4, the qualifying period for Seats #1 and #2 begins at 7:30 a.m., June 16, and closes again at 6 p.m. on June 20. Anyone interested in running for either seat should contact City Hall and plan to pick up a qualifying packet and declare their candidacy during the qualifying period.

Explaining why the qualifying period is earlier this year than last, Pam Carpenter, Alachua County Supervisor of Elections said, “Please note that in the even numbered years the High Springs election appears on our county/state/federal ballot and in the odd numbered years, High Springs conducts their own City election. When the City election is on our ballot, the qualifying dates must follow state law.

“When High Springs conducts their own elections, their qualifying dates would be set by their Charter and City Ordinances,” she said.

Last year's city-only election brought out 20.15 percent of qualified High Springs voters. Based on figures from the past six years, it appears that this year's joint election could bring out as many as 55-75 percent of qualified voters in High Springs.

The number of registered voters in the city of High Springs is 3,565, according to Carpenter.

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