The City of Cape Coral will be holding Primary and General Elections in 2013.  The Primary Election will be held September 10, 2013.  The General Election will be held November 5, 2013.  City voters will elect Council Members for Council Districts 1, 4, and 6 in addition to a Mayor.  This is a non-partisan election.

The Mayor and all candidates must be continuous, full-time residents of the City for the entire calendar year preceding their qualification for office.  Candidates qualifying in Districts 1, 4, and 6 must reside in their respective Districts. The terms of office for the Mayor and Council seats in Districts 1, 4, and 6 are four (4) years.  All terms begin the 1^st regular Council meeting held after the date of the General Election.

A candidate may announce his/her candidacy at any time.  However, pursuant to the Campaign Financing Laws of Florida, F.S. 106.1, before accepting ANY contribution, or making ANY expenditure, the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository must be filed with the City Clerk’s Office (this action “opens a campaign file”).  A candidate may open his/her campaign file with the City Clerk’s Office ANYTIME PRIOR to the qualifying period, however, certain documents pertaining to a candidate’s campaign can only be finalized and submitted to a candidate’s file during the qualifying period. 

Qualifying for potential candidates will begin Monday, July 1, 2013 at 7:30 AM and end Friday, July 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM (excluding July 4^th).  During the qualifying period, candidates can pay the required fees and complete all necessary paperwork in the Office of the City Clerk.  The total fee to run for the office of Mayor is $365.23, which includes the filing fee of $150.00 plus the Election Assessment fee of 1% of the annual salary of $21,523.40 ($215.23).  The total fee to run for the office of Council Member is $282.95, which includes the filing fee of $100 plus the Election Assessment fee of 1% of the annual salary of $18,294.89 ($182.95).  A Financial Disclosure Form must be completed and you must show your voter registration card. 

Only persons designated as treasurer or deputy treasurer may sign campaign account checks.  A candidate may act as his/her own treasurer or deputy treasurer.  Up to three deputy treasurers may be appointed to sign checks in the treasurer’s absence.  The Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository forms can be found on the City website (www.capecoral.net). 

For more information about qualifying, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (239) 574-0417.