Especially astute citizens might have noticed that March is sliding by with no primary election for mayor or Town Council seats.

This is the first election cycle that the town has been subject to a new state law that requires municipal elections to be held in the fall along with state, county and federal elections.

As a result of this change to the system, all of the current Town Council members will get an extra six months in office.

The primary will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, followed by the General Election Tuesday, Nov. 4.

With the primary five months off, it’s time for those interested in seeking a seat to begin the paper shuffle to get their names on the ballot.

Town Council candidate packets are already available, according to Town Clerk Bev Bender, although the official announcement will come as of April 1.

Those wanting to run for mayor or a council seat will need to obtain the signatures of eligible town voters on their nominating petitions. They will need a minimum of 178 signatures but no more than 356.

Even those working fast will not be able to turn in their petitions before Monday, April 28, but they must return the completed paperwork and petitions to Town Hall by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.

The council seats with terms expiring this year include Mayor Linda Kavanagh (who has indicated she will be seeking re-election), and council members Ginny Dickey, Tait Elkie and Henry Leger.

Elkie has publicly stated he will not seek a second term. Dickey and Leger, both of whom would be seeking a third council term, stated they have not yet made up their minds.

Early ballots

Any voters who have signed on for the permanent early ballot list to vote by mail, but are not registered to vote with a specified political party, will need to request a ballot for the August primary election.

The recognized parties in Arizona for the 2014 election cycle include Americans Elect, Democrat, Libertarian and Republican.

Those voters registered as non-affiliated, independent or non-partisan will not automatically receive a ballot in the mail even if they are on the permanent early voter list. A ballot must be requested either by mail or online.

Visit the Maricopa County Recorder’s website, www.recorder.maricopa.gov, for information regarding a request for an early ballot.

Anyone not affiliated with a party who goes to the polls on Election Day may request a specific ballot at that time.

Since Town Council elections are non-partisan, however, one may also request a “council only” ballot that will not include the additional state and federal offices up for election this year.

The state and federal offices on the ballot this year include U.S. House of Representatives, District 6 (David Schweikert of Fountain Hills is the incumbent); and the state offices of Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Mine Inspector, Corporation Commission, Arizona Senate and Arizona House of Representatives.

In a bit of a shuffle this year, District 23 State Rep. John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills has run out of terms in the state house and will seek the state senate seat being vacated by Michele Reagan, who is running for Secretary of State.