City sets mayoral filing, election dates

Apr. 27—City councilors have passed a resolution setting the candidate filing period and election dates for the McAlester mayor's post.

A three-day candidate filing period for the mayor's office is set for June 10, 11 and 12.

It's set to extend from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. for all three days at the new Pittsburg County Election Board Office at 7 E. Chickasaw Ave.

Candidates will file at-large, meaning they will not run as affiliated with any political party.

Following the candidate filing period, the Primary Election is set for Aug. 27, which is the fourth Tuesday in August.

If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote during the August Primary, then the two candidates will the most votes will face each other during the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election — which is the same time as the U.S. Presidential Election.

With current McAlester Mayor John Browne term-limiting out of office and precluded from filing for reelection, the mayor's office will be wide open for the upcoming election.

Three current city councilors — Ward 6 Councilor Kevin Beaty, Ward 4 Councilor Randy Roden and Ward 2 Councilor Justin Few — have all stated their intentions to seek the mayor's office and are putting out campaign signs.

Candidate requirements are included in the election resolution.

"Persons qualified for the office of mayor are qualified electors of the city of McAlester who are at least 25 years of age, who have resided in the City of McAlester for at least two years," the resolution states.

No fee or payment is required of those who file as a candidate for the mayor's office.

All qualified registered voters in the city of McAlester are eligible to cast ballots in the August Primary Election and, if needed, the November General Election for the McAlester mayor's post.