Filing for the May 9 municipal elections in Greenville got off to a fast start Wednesday, with three candidates officially throwing their hats into the ring, seeking spots on the Greenville City Council.
Several more people have taken the first steps to becoming a candidate, by obtaining the paperwork needed to formally file their campaigns.
David Dreiling and Dan Perkins formally filed Wednesday for the office of Mayor of Greenville, while Dr. Jerry Ransom filed for an unexpired term in Place 1 on the council, which is being vacated by Perkins in his run for the mayor’s post.
Four more individuals have picked up the paperwork to file for Place 5, while two more people have reportedly obtained the paperwork to file for Place 1.
No one else had obtained filing packets as of Wednesday in the races for mayor or Place 6 on the council.
Place 5 is currently represented by Renee Francey, who has announced she intends to seek re-election. Place 6 is represented by Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Linson-Bell, while Steve Reid is the Mayor of the City of Greenville.
Neither Bell or Reid have formally announced so far whether they intend to run in the election, although in his campaign announcement Dreiling mentioned he was running after Reid decided not to seek another term.
Filing for the contest will continue between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays through February 27 and for the Place 1 spot through March 9 in the City Secretary’s office at the Municipal Building, 2821 Washington Street.
March 10 is the first day to apply for a ballot by mail, with April 9 the last day to register to vote for the election.
Early voting will take place between April 27 and May 5.