You Can Make A Difference!

 

Have you thought about becoming a member of the Denton Town Government?  In November the town will be having it’s annual election.  Unless you are new in town, you are aware that the Town’s governing body consists of five Council members.  Each year one Council’s term expires, and one Council is elected.  If you’ve never taken part in the political process before, maybe you’d like to get your “feet wet” first by applying as a volunteer for a position on one of the many boards and commissions which play an important part in running the Town government (Utilities Commission, Board of Election Supervisors, Planning Commission, Road Safety Committee, Historic Review Commission, Board of Appeals, Parks Board, etc.)  There are many ways this Town can function more effectively and efficiently if you are there to make the difference.  For more information on volunteering, call the Denton Town Office and let us know your interests.  We’ll try to match you up with the area in which you would be most effective if you do not already know your specific area of interest.

In the meantime, if you are thinking of running for Council Seat,  or are just making a resolution that this year you will at least vote and maybe do a little campaigning for your favorite candidate, you may want to review the following information as a reminder of how the elections work.

Candidate Registration

The Town elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Registration for candidates wishing to run for Commissioner ends 30 days prior to the election date, (please contact the office for the specifics).  Candidates must file with the Town Board of Supervisors of Elections a petition signed by at least twenty (20) registered voters of the Town of Denton.  The petition shall state (a) the name and address of the candidate, (b) The fact that such person is eligible for election to the office of Commissioner, and (c) that such person wishes his name placed on the ballot as candidate.  The petition must be sworn to by the person who files, indicating that he/she is eligible and that the signatures on the petition are genuine. This petition must be filled by 4:00 PM on the date designated by the Supervisors of Election not less than 30 days before the election date.

To make it easier for the candidates, the Town has prepared a form which the candidate may use in filing; however as long as the above requirements are met, candidates may use a form of their own choosing.  In addition to the above, the candidate must file a statement disclosing any gifts received during the preceding calendar year from any person having a contract with the Town of Denton or any person regulated by any agency thereof.  This statement shall identify the donor of the gift and its approximate retail value at time of receipt.

After candidates have filed, staff confirm signatures on petition. Advertisements of the election will be placed in the local papers and notices posted around town--usually at the court house, on the town bulletin board on Market Street, and in the town office.  Ballots are printed. 

Absentee ballots

Absentee Ballots are available to voters who meet the following specifications:

(A) any qualified voter in the town who may be unavoidably absent from the Town for any reason on any town election day;

(B) any qualified voter of the town whose physical disability confines him or her to his home or will otherwise prevent him or her from being present and personally voting at the polls on any town election day.

A person wishing an absentee ballot must make their application in writing to the Supervisor of Elections and it must be received in the Town Office not later than seventeen (17) calendar days before the election.   Upon receipt of the absentee ballot request an official ballot will be mailed to the requestor. The ballot must be returned before the closing of the polls on election day in order to be considered valid.