Residents with questions on any aspect of the Election are encouraged to contact a member of the Election Board: Ed Finn, Chair, 301-657-4607; Anthula Gross, 301-652-3017; and Steve Lawton, 301-654-5904.
TOWN ELECTIONS
Town Elections are governed by the provisions in Chapter 8 of the Town of Chevy Chase Municipal Code:
“…an election shall be held on the first Tuesday in May of each year to elect members of the Town Council. Three (3) members shall be elected in even numbered years and two (2) members in the odd numbered years.”
Town residents will select three candidates in the 2014 election, each to serve on the Council for a two year term.
NOMINATIONS ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for nomination, a resident must have resided in the Town for at least one year immediately preceding the election and be a registered voter in the State of Maryland, Town of Chevy Chase.
NOMINATING PROCEDURESResidents are encouraged to present by petition their names or those of Town residents who are willing to serve on the Town Council. Blank petitions are available in the Town Office, 4301 Willow Lane, 301-654-7144.
Petitions must contain the following information: the candidate’s name, address, occupation, length of residency in the Town, a short biographical sketch and a short statement (limit to 400 words or less), confirmation of willingness to serve if elected, and the endors¬ing signatures, addresses and telephone numbers of at least five persons, other than the candidate, eligible to vote in the above election.
Petitions must be delivered to the Town Office before 5 p.m. on April 15, 2014, the third Tuesday preceding the election, in order for the candidate’s name to appear on the printed ballot.
Petitions may be inspected at the Town Hall on Tuesday, April 15 between the hours of 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Any challenges to the petitions or the persons signing the petitions must be made in writing and delivered to the Election Board at the Town Office no later than 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. The Election Board may make additional nominations and must do so if an insufficient number of candidates have been nominated by petition to ensure that at least one candidate is nominated for each opening on the Town Council.
CANDIDATES FORUM or MEET AND GREET
If the election is contested, the candidates will be invited to participate in a moderated forum and dialogue with the community on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. The Election Board will accept questions in advance from Town residents. If the election is uncontested, the candidates will be invited to participate in a meet and greet event.
FLOOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations from the floor cannot be considered at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 since voting will begin in advance of the meeting.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
There will be appropriate blanks on the printed ballot for the purpose of adding write-in candidates at the time of the election.
NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS
The name, a short biographical sketch and short statement (not to exceed 400 words) of all candidates will be mailed to all residents two weeks pre¬ceding the election.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Council members and candidates for office are required to submit annual financial disclosure statements. The financial disclosure statement will available for review at the Town Office by March 1.
VOTING ELIGIBILITY
A resident must be a citizen of the United States, at least eighteen years of age, have resided within the corporate limits of the Town for thirty days preceding the Town election and be a registered, qualified voter of the State of Maryland, Town of Chevy Chase to be eligible to vote.
POLL LOCATION AND HOURS
The poll will be located in the Town Hall, 4301 Willow Lane. The poll will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6, 2014.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Absentee ballots will be available in the Town Office on Tuesday, April 22 at 12 p.m. Any qualified voter may vote by absentee ballot. Residents desiring an absentee ballot must apply individually in writing (by mail, fax, email or in person) to the Town Office. Once an absentee ballot request has been received, the Town will mail or hand deliver a ballot and return envelope to the requestor in a sealed envelope. To be counted, the absentee ballot must be returned to the Town Office in the printed envelope provided by the Town by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6, 2014.