Charter Commission Meeting Date: September 10, 2026
To: Chair and Members of the Charter Commission
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Proposed Amendment to Charter Section 5.6 Filing for Office.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield Charter Commission is asked to review a proposed amendment to Charter Section 5.6 Filing for Office.
Summary Report:
The Charter Commission is asked to consider amendments to Charter Section 5.6 Filing for Office. Section 5.6 lays out the requirements for filing for a city office. Exact wording is as follows:
Section 5.6. - Filing for Office.
A candidate seeking to fill a full term of a city office shall file an affidavit of candidacy with the city clerk not more than eighty-four (84) days nor less than seventy (70) days before the date of the primary election. A candidate seeking to fill the unexpired term of a vacated office shall file an affidavit of candidacy with the city clerk not more than ninety-one (91) days nor less than seventy-seven (77) days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. A person must file for office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 70th day before the primary or special election. No less than five (5) registered voters of the city may file an application with the city clerk on behalf of any qualified candidate they wish to have on the ballot, provided that service of a copy of the application be made on such candidate and proof of service endorsed on the application before filing. In either case, the filing fee shall be a reasonable amount as established by ordinance. Such affidavit or application shall state that the candidate is qualified under the laws and constitution of the state, name the office for which the person is a candidate, and if a candidate for a ward council member, that the candidate is a resident of that ward. All candidates shall complete and file the public disclosure statement prescribed by the city's ethics ordinance.
Any candidate may with...
Click here for full text