Candidate filing is underway for candidates seeking a place on the ballot in the May 4 city council and hospital, school and groundwater district board elections.

Thus far, only two candidates have filed. Canadian ISD board member Cody Culwell and Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District board member Spencer Hanes have each filed for re-election. Altogether, nine elected positions are up for grabs in the spring election, including three city council seats, two seats on the hospital board, two on the school board, and two on the water board.

The filing period continues through Friday, Feb. 16, at 5 pm.

Details about filing and eligibility for each governmental entity are as follows:

Canadian City Council

The city council is comprised of five at-large members and a mayor, each of whom is elected to staggered two-year terms. This year, the terms of council members Wendie Cook, Gary Prater and Ashlee Talley will expire.

Eligibility: The qualified candidate for the city council must have resided continuously in the state of Texas for 12 months, and in the city for six months, immediately prior to the filing deadline. The qualified candidate for office of Mayor must have resided in the state for one year prior to the filing deadline, and in the city for at least one year prior to Election Day. All qualified candidates must be registered voters in the city by the filing deadline.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at City Hall, located at 6 Main St. Business hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, call 806.323.6473.

Hemphill County Hospital District

The hospital board is comprised of five at-large directors elected to staggered two-year terms. This year, the terms of Karen Gullett and Sharon Carr will each expire.

Eligibility: The qualified candidate for the hospital board must have resided continuously in the state of Texas for 12 months and in the hospital district for six months immediately prior to the filing deadline. There is no voter registration requirement for this office.

Filing: Candidate applications may be picked up at the executive administrative assistant’s office, located in the administration building (the former clinic), beginning Jan. 17. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm. For more information, call 806.323.1100.

Canadian Independent School District

The school board is comprised of seven at-large members elected to staggered three-year terms. This year, the terms of Cody Culwell and Courtney Trolinger will expire. After 12 years as a school trustee, Trolinger has already announced that she will not seek a fifth term of office.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve our community, our district and most importantly the awesome kids in our schools," Trolinger said after making her decision public. "We have many qualified and caring community members who could serve the district well.”

Eligibility: The qualified candidate for school board trustee must have resided continuously in the state of Texas for 12 months and in the school district for six months prior to the filing deadline, and must be a registered voter at the time of election.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at the CISD administration building, located at 800 Hillside. Business hours are from 8 am-4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, call 806.323.5393.

Underground Water Conservation District

The water board is comprised of five at-large members elected to serve staggered four-year terms. Unlike the other boards, the water district board holds elections only in even-numbered years. This year, the terms of Spencer Hanes and Craig Cowden will expire.

Eligibility: To qualify for a seat on the water district board, the candidate must be a registered voter prior to filing.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at the HCUWCD office, which is located at 211 N. 2nd St. Business hours are from 8 am-noon and from 1-5 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, call General Manager Christa Perry at 806.323.8350.

In addition to the above-mentioned eligibility requirements, a candidate for any of these elected offices must be a United States citizen, be 18 years of age or older when the term begins, be mentally competent, and have no felony convictions.

TO ANNOUNCE:

Both prospective candidates and those opting not to run for re-election are welcome to announce their intentions in The Canadian Record. To do so, either call 806.323.6461 or email editor@canadianrecord.com (receipt of your email will be confirmed). Candidates for office are encouraged to provide a photograph or to have a photograph taken at The Record office. There is no charge for either the announcement or the photo.