Filing for city council positions open next week

Candidates interested in filing for municipal office in three Stephens County municipalities will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb.  3. The municipalities include the City of Comanche, the City of Duncan and the Town of Velma.

Shawnda Seely, Secretary of the Stephens County Election Board, said Declaration of Candidacy forms must be completed and submitted to the County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 when the filing period ends. 

Seely reminds voters that Contests of Candidacy must be filed no later than Friday, Feb. 7 and may only be filed by another candidate for that office, unless a candidate files unopposed.

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted for the following offices:

- City of Comanche - Councilmembers Ward 1 and Ward 2 for four (4) year terms ending May 2029; Councilmembers Ward 3 and Ward 4 for unexpired terms ending May 2027

- City of Duncan - Councilmembers Ward 3 and Ward 4 for three (3) year terms 

- Town of Velma - Two (2) Trustees for four (4) year terms; One (1) Trustee for an unexpired term ending 2027

Current Comanche City Council members include: Ward 1 Smokey Dobbins (mayor), Ward 2 Wanda Moore (vice mayor), Ward 3 Michael Shuey and Ward 4 Teresa Cabello.

At-large council member Brayden Harris’ seat is not up this election cycle.

Declaration of Candidacy forms can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections or by contacting your County Election Board office at 580-255-8782 or StephensCounty@elections.ok.gov. 

The municipal offices at stake will be filled in the nonpartisan general election scheduled April 1.  

The Stephens County Election Board, 1075 West Elm Ave., Duncan, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.