Qualifying for City Offices Begins Today

Election season officially begins today.

The cities of Dallas and Hiram will begin today at 8:30 a.m. accepting qualified candidates for elected office, with voters set to decide on Nov. 8 the individuals who will sit in four offices in Dallas and three in Hiram starting in January.

See below for more information on qualifying in each city.

Dallas

Voters in November will consider candidates for mayor, councilmember at large and councilmembers for Wards 2 and 4. Currently holding those positions are Mayor Boyd Austin, Ward 2 Councilman Michael Cason, Ward 4 Councilman Frank “Bingo” McTyre and At-Large Councilmember James Kelly.

Qualifying fees are $300 for the office of mayor and $150 for any council seat, and those seeking to be put on the ballot will have from 8:30 a.m. today to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to qualify during normal business hours at the Dallas City Hall, 129 E. Memorial Drive, Dallas.

All four offices have four-year terms.

Hiram

Coming up for election on Nov. 8 are the offices of mayor and the council seats of Posts 1 and 2. Jack Paris is serving as interim mayor while retired council veteran Alvin Sims is serving the remainder of Paris’ Post 1 council term following the June . Helena Williams continues to serve as the Post 2 councilwoman.

Those elected to the three offices will serve four-year terms.

Qualifying fees are $270 for the office of mayor and $90 for each of the council seats. Those wishing to get on the ballot will be able to qualify today through Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (though the office will close for lunch each day from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) at Hiram City Hall, 217 Main St., Hiram.

Those running for office must reside within the incorporated city limits and must have resided in the city for at least 12 months prior to the time of election. Candidates must also be at least 21 years old.

Dallas-Hiram Patch hopes to inform readers about those who qualify for office at the end of each qualifying day. If you have qualified for one of the seven municipal offices, you may email details on yourself and a headshot to Editor Jon Gargis at jon.gargis@patch.com for inclusion on our site.