A reminder from Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman: City Elections in Cass County will take place on November 7, 2017.  IN CASS COUNTY, IOWA ALL NOMINATION PETITIONS FOR A CITY OFFICE MUST NOW BE FILED WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR and not  with the city clerk.

The first day to file papers is August 28. The last day to file papers is September 21. The process for filing nomination petitions is as follows:

• Obtain an original nomination petition and candidate’s guide from the county
  auditor, a city clerk or online from the Iowa Secretary of State  (www.sos.iowa.gov ).
• Obtain the nomination signatures of the required number of eligible electors of
  the city or ward, as the case may be (The candidate’s guide lists the number of
  signatures required.  In Cass County, the minimum number of signatures required is 10 for all positions in all cities except Atlantic.  In Atlantic, the minimum number of  signatures required is 25 for all positions.*)
• A person may sign nomination petitions for more than one candidate for the same office.
• Attach a notarized affidavit acknowledging the candidate’s eligibility.
• File the petition with the County Auditor during working hours.  Petitions must be filed prior to 5 p.m. on September 21, 2017.
• Each candidate who successfully files a completed nomination petition is assured a place on the ballot.

Signature Requirements for Cities Without Primary or Runoff Provisions (Chapter 45 nominations):

• The minimum number of signatures needed is dependent on the size of the city.
• For cities with a population of 3,500 or greater: at least 25 signatures
• For cities with a population between 100 and 3,499: at least 10 signatures
• For cities with a population of 99 or less: at least 5 signatures.