The Nov. 2 ballot could include up to thirteen candidates for mayor.
The Nov. 2 ballot could include up to thirteen candidates for mayor. Minutes before the 5 p.m. Wednesday filing deadline, 30-year-old Oakland native Sharika Gregory became the final aspirant to submit nominating petitions.
Oakland City Clerk LaTonda Simmons verified Wednesday that six mayoral contenders have already qualified to run for mayor — Terence Candell, Arnie Fields, Rebecca Kaplan, Don Macleay, Joe Tuman, and Lionel Young, Jr.
Gregory and six others could find out as early as tomorrow if they are eligible. Jean Quan and Don Perata both submitted petitions Wednesday afternoon, as did Tim Brown, Greg Harland, Marcie Hodge, and Niki Okuk.
The city clerk contracts with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to verify the validity of voter signatures. Once it is determined that at least fifty registered voters signed a candidate’s nominating petition, the city clerk certifies that candidate for the ballot. The clerk is filing officer for mayor, eight city council seats, city attorney, city auditor, and seven members of the school board. Each candidate must pay a $300 filing fee.
Elections for U. S. President are held in leap years. Oakland voters elect the council member at large, city attorney, and council and school board representatives from districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 during the same election. Those ten seats will appear on the Nov. 6, 2012, ballot. During “off-year” elections, when presidential elections are not on the ballot, Oakland voters elect the mayor and city auditor, along with council and school board representatives from districts 2, 4, and 6. Those eight seats will be on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Seven Contenders for District 4 Council Seat
Five candidates have been certified to run for the District 4 City Council seat. Two others have filed nominating petitions. Jill Broadhurst, Jason Gillen, Clinton Killian, Libby Schaaf, and Donald Swafford received confirmation Wednesday that they had qualified for the Nov. 2 ballot to replace Jean Quan, who is running for mayor and had to give up her City Council seat because both races take place in the same election.
Ralph Kanz and Melanie Shelby both turned in nominating petitions that are subject to review. Levert Marty Payne, the eighth candidate, did not submit paperwork by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Pae Qualifies to Challenge Kernighan in District 2
Jennifer Pae has been certified to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot as a candidate for the District 2 City Council seat. Pae is challenging incumbent Pat Kernighan, who won the seat in a April 2005 special election to replace Danny Wan, who had resigned in mid-term. Kernighan won re-election to a full four-year term in Nov. 2006.