Three Joplin council members obtain re-election petitions

Three members of the City Council who have already said that they would run for re-election have picked up nominating petitions today to start the process.

Five of Joplin’s nine City Council seats — three general and two zone — will be filled by voters in the April 6 election.

Those who have obtained the petitions are Mayor Gary Shaw, the Zone 1 incumbent; Michael Seibert, who is filling an unexpired term in Zone 4; and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Woolston, who holds a general seat.

Two others who hold general seats, Phil Stinnett and Jim West, have not yet announced a decision and had not picked up nominating petitions as of 11 a.m.

Zone candidates must live in the zone they seek to represent.

All candidates must obtain 150 signatures of registered voters on a nominating petition and sign a declaration of candidacy to run. However, zone candidates are required to have half of those signatures from voters in their zone.

In order to be eligible to serve, candidates must be a qualified voter and a resident of Joplin four years immediately prior to the election.

Candidates also have to file financial disclosures on their campaigns. Details about those campaign finance rules are available from the Jasper County clerk’s office.

The nominating petitions must be filed with the city clerk by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19.

A booklet on council election guidelines is available from the city clerk. It outlines the details about qualifications for the office along with duties and ethics.

The clerk’s office is located on the second floor of City Hall, 602 S. Main St.