Council positions up for election this year

Filing for city elections opens May 2 in Flathead County.

Prospective candidates have until 5 p.m. on June 30 to file at the county Election Department. The general election is Nov. 8.

City elections are nonpartisan.

In Kalispell, four four-year City Council positions are up for election. Those seats currently are held by Kari Gabriel, Ward 1; Wayne Saverud, Ward 2, Randy Kenyon, Ward 3, and Duane Larson, Ward 4.

Kalispell City Council members earn $5,000 per year plus a $900 annual stipend. Candidates must be residents of their wards for at least 60 days preceding the election.

Contact the Kalispell city clerk at 758-7756 for more information.

In Whitefish, three four-year City Council seats and the four-year mayor position are up for election.

The terms of Whitefish council members Ryan Friel, John Muhlfeld and Turner Askew will expire at the end of the year, as will the mayoral position held by Mike Jenson.

Because of Whitefish’s charter form of government, Whitefish candidates must gather petitions of voter signatures to accompany their filing papers.

Council members need 71 signatures, while mayoral candidates must collect 50 signatures from registered Whitefish voters. Packets are available at Whitefish City Hall or the county Election Department.

Whitefish council members get no financial compensation.

In Columbia Falls, three four-year City Council positions are up for election.

The terms of council members Harvey Reikofski, Julie Plevel and Doug Karper expire at the end of the year.

Columbia Falls council members earn $200 per month.

For questions concerning nomination declarations contact the Flathead County Election Department at 758-5535.