The City of Arcata wants to remind you of a few things about the November 6 election. If you’re interested in running for Arcata City Council, it’s time to step up! Nomination papers are available starting Monday July 16 and must be returned by August 10.

Also, written arguments for or against Measure M —the initiative against the McKinley statue removal— may be submitted to the City Clerk no later than Friday, July 20 at 12 p.m.

Rebuttal arguments must be filed with the City Clerk by Tuesday, July 31 at 5 p.m.

Press release from the City of Arcata:

The City of Arcata will be holding a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 6.

On Tuesday, November 6, two seats on the Arcata City Council will be up for election, as Mayor Sofia Pereira and Vice-Mayor Brett Watson’s terms expire.

City Council consists of five members, serving in four-year terms, that direct the course of Arcata’s local government through its power to adopt ordinances, levy taxes, award contracts and appoint certain

city officers, commissions and committees.

Community members wishing to run for a seat on the Arcata City Council must be least 18 years of age and must be a registered voter, registered at and residing at an address within the city limits of Arcata.

Potential candidates must take out nomination papers, which will be available at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 16. Potential candidates must gather a minimum of 20 signatures of voters registered at an address within the city limits of Arcata. Nomination papers and signatures must be returned to the City Clerk no later than Friday, August 10 at 5 p.m.

In addition, Measure M, the McKinley statue initiative measure officially titled, “Initiative to prohibit the modification and/or destruction of the President William McKinley statue and its base and/or the relocation from its historic place in the center of the Plaza,” will be included on the Tuesday, November 6 ballot.

Measure M, if approved by the majority of Arcata voters, would prevent the City from relocating the McKinley statue and its base from its current location at the center of Arcata’s Plaza, which would overturn the Arcata City Council’s 4-1 vote in favor of removing the statue from the Plaza that took place on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

The complete text of Measure M is available to the public online at cityofarcata.org/787/McKinley-Statue or in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Written arguments for or against this measure may be submitted to the City Clerk no later than Friday, July 20 at 12 p.m.

Rebuttal arguments, as submitted by the authors of the opposing direct arguments, must be filed with the City Clerk by Tuesday, July 31 at 5 p.m.

For more information regarding the rules for submitting written arguments and rebuttals, please call Bridget Dory, City Clerk at 707-822-5953 or email bdory@cityofarcata.org.

The last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is Monday, October 22. For more information on how to register to vote, visit cityofarcata.org/312/Voter-Registration.