City News
Tempe Invites Applications to Host City Council Candidate Forums THE CITY OF TEMPE IS EXTENDING AN INVITATION TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS BY APPLYING TO HOST A CANDIDATE FORUM. These forums are designed to enhance public understanding of the candidates vying for seats on the Tempe City Council.
There are specific rules governing the conduct of these forums. All officially recognized candidates must be invited, with a requirement that at least 51% of the candidates attend for the event to be recorded and broadcasted. The sponsoring organization is tasked with confirming candidate attendance in writing.
The city has earmarked the Tempe History Museum, located at 809 E. Southern Ave., as the venue for these forums. Interested parties can choose from three available dates for the events: December 20, January 16, and February 7. Each forum is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Applicants are required to provide their organization's name, the name and phone number of a representative, and their preferred date. It's important to note that the opportunities to host will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
The forums will be live streamed by Tempe 11 and available on the city's website, with no options for virtual participation. Each event is taped live, without possibilities for retakes or content editing.
It's crucial for organizations to understand and adhere to state laws concerning the use of municipal resources in election-related activities. The forums are required to be impartial and purely informational. Any forum not in compliance with these guidelines risks cancellation. The city of Tempe also maintains the right
to omit any content deemed unlawful or inappropriate from broadcasts.
A disclaimer will be aired before, during, and after each televised forum to clarify the responsibilities of the city of Tempe, Tempe 11, the sponsoring organization, and the candidates themselves. This is in line with state laws mandating neutrality and equal opportunity for all candidates' viewpoints. For more information or to apply, interested parties should reach out to Kris Baxter-Ging at the city of Tempe. She may be reached at 480-250-5198 or via email at kris_baxter@tempe.gov.
Tempe Announces Six Certified Candidates for 2024 Mayoral and City Council Elections THE CITY OF TEMPE HAS OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED SIX CANDIDATES FOR THE UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 12. These candidates, having successfully submitted the requisite nomination papers and signature petitions, will be vying for the mayoral seat and three seats on the city council. The sole mayoral candidate is Corey Woods. The city council candidates, listed alphabetically by last name, include Nikki Amberg, Doreen Garlid, Randy Keating, David Lucier, and Hugo Tapia. The qualification process required each candidate to gather between 1,000 and 2,752 valid signatures from registered voters in Tempe.
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However, it is important to note that the nomination petitions and paperwork are still subject to legal challenges. The elected candidates will assume their four-year terms in office starting July 2024.
Voting Information for Residents: Residents must register to vote by February 12 to participate in the March 12 election. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in Tempe starting from February 14. Voters can check their registration status at beballotready.vote and register through the Maricopa County Elections Department by calling 602-506-1511 or visiting maricopa.vote.
According to Tempe City Charter, Section 7.01, the primary election serves to nominate or directly elect candidates. A general election, scheduled for May 21, may not be necessary if one mayoral candidate and three council candidates secure the majority of votes in the primary. In such a case, the March 12 primary would effectively serve as the final electoral decision, eliminating the need for a later general election.
For additional information about the election, residents are encouraged to visit tempe.gov/election or contact the city clerk’s office at 480-350-8242 or via email at clerk@tempe.gov.
THE KYRENE TIMES • December 2023 • 5
