Attention, potential candidates!

The deadline to file qualifying paperwork with the City Clerk to be a candidate for municipal offices in this year’s municipal elections is 5 p.m. today.

The City Clerk’s office is located in City Hall at 124 S. Pearl St. in downtown Natchez.

The primary election will be April 7. Runoff elections, if necessary, will be April 28, followed by the general election on June 2.

Only three candidates had qualified by the end of the day Thursday to run for the Natchez Mayor’s seat that is being vacated by Darryl Grennell who is not seeking a second term.

So far, all incumbent aldermen (including Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Carter Smith, who was accidentally left off a list published in Thursday’s edition) have qualified for re-election and only a couple of those candidates have challengers this year, including Ward 1 and Ward 6.

Most of the candidates have qualified as Democrats, with the exception of one independent for mayor and one independent for the Ward 1 alderman seat.

Congratulations and best of luck to the candidates who have already qualified to run.

If you believe you have the qualifications, drive and determination to make a difference in city government, we encourage you to get to City Hall and file your paperwork before 5 p.m. today.

Democracy and elections work best when voters have a choice of solid candidates from which to choose.