From Staff Reports

Four candidates have filed for Prosper town council and mayor offices for the May election. Three residents have also filed for the open PISD school board seats.

According to Town Secretary Matt Denton, current council member Ray Smith has filed for the mayor's seat, which will be vacated by current mayor Charles Niswanger.

Niswanger announced he would not seek re-election earlier this year.

Because Smith is running for the mayor's position, he's council seat will also be up for grabs this year.

Denton said Jason Dixon has filed to run for the Place 6 seat vacated by Smith.

In Place 1, David Benefield and Woody Adams have filed. Dave Turley is the current council member in Place 1. He also announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election.

Meigs Miller has filed for re-election in his Place 4 seat.

The election is May 8.

"While the candidate filing window opens on Feb. 5, it actually stays open for over a month. Interested citizens can file all the way through to March 8," Deton said. Potential candidates can obtain packets from the town office at 121 W. Broadway, but they must deliver the application directly to the Town Secretary or his designee in order for the application to be valid. Simply dropping it off or mailing it in will not suffice. There is no charge to file for office.

The winners of the May 8 council election will serve terms of three years for all places, including the mayor. To be eligible, candidates must have resided within the Prosper town limits for at least 12 months prior to March 8, the deadline for filing for a place on the ballot. Council members for Prosper are elected at-large.

Council candidates who submit an application for candidacy must, at the same time, submit the name of a qualified campaign treasurer. In addition, there are a number of required forms relating to campaign financing, campaign practices and political advertising that must be submitted during and after the campaign.

"There's quite of bit of material to read and become familiar with, so it's important for a potential candidate to pick up a packet as soon as possible," he advised.

In this year's PISD school board elections, Mark McGuire (Place 1), Julie Loper (Place 3) and Jim Bridges (Place 6) have all filed for seats.

Place 1 is the seat currently held by Dan Tolleson, who has announced he will not seek re-election. Loper and Bridges were both appointed to fill board positions and are running for permanent positions.

Early voting by personal appearance begins on April 26 and runs through May 4. Voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Prosper Municipal Chambers, 108 W. Broadway St., and at the Collin County Elections Office, 2010 Redbud Blvd, #102 in McKinney.

As a courtesy to those unable to cast early ballots during the traditional work day, ballots can be cast on Saturday May 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,and during extended hours on May 3 and 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote early, so we will make every attempt to accommodate those wishing to do so," said Denton. Voters with special needs should contact the Prosper Town Hall for assistance.

On Election Day, May 8, voters can only cast ballots at the Prosper Community Library, 300 Eagle Drive, in the former high school building and future Reynolds Middle School.

Newly-elected or reelected council members will take their oath of office on Tuesday, May 11.