Roswell elects a Mayor, six Council members, and a Municipal Court Judge.
Terms for all municipal offices are four years, with elections being held every two years. The purpose of this provision for staggered terms -- in which three members run at one time, and two years later, the other three run -- is to ensure that at no time is the Council composed of a full panel of freshmen members but is always made up of at least three who have served a minimum of two years in their posts.
In the event no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. When a runoff must be conducted, it is held the 28th day after the original election, unless postponed by court order.
To Qualify for Elections
To be eligible for office in the City of Roswell, a person must be at least 21 years of age and must meet the requirements of a qualified voter of the City of Roswell, as prescribed by state law, and must have been a resident of the City of Roswell for at least one year prior to the election in which he/she offers as a candidate, and, if elected, must continue to reside in Roswell throughout his/her term of office. A candidate for the office of judge of the Municipal Court, in addition to the qualifications listed above, must be a member of the State Bar of Georgia.
Council positions are designated by post numbers 1 through 6. All candidates qualifying to run shall state the position to which they seek election. City elections are non-partisan, i.e. candidates do not run as members of a particular political party, and their individual party affiliations are not relevant to their positions in Roswell City Government.
Elected officials take office the first Monday in January after the election. Any person desiring to become a candidate shall file written notice with the City Clerk. Qualifying dates are set by state law. The qualifying period for the November 6, 2007 election is from August 27 at 8:30AM to August 31 at 4:30PM. Qualifying fees, as required by state law, will be: Council $540.00; Municipal Court Judge $2550.00. Qualifying fees shall accompany notice of candidacy.
Those persons who have decided to run for an office should notify the City Clerk to obtain qualifying information at 770.641.3727 or screel@ci.roswell.ga.us.
