Filing window for Lewes election opens March 1

The window for candidates to file for the 2021 Lewes municipal election opens Monday, March 1.

They’ll have until Thursday, April 1, to submit paperwork to run in the Saturday, May 8 election. The seats of Deputy Mayor Bonnie Osler and Councilman Rob Morgan are up for election this year. Earlier this year, Osler announced she would not seek another term. 

Each seat carries a three-year term.

To be an eligible candidate, a person must be at least 21 years old, a full-time Lewes resident for at least one year and shall not have been convicted of a felony.

Candidates should drop off necessary paperwork at city hall. If they are concerned about in-person interaction, they may call the city manager to make other arrangements.

The voter registration deadline is Friday, April 23. To be eligible to vote, a person must be 18 years old as of May 8, 2021, and a full-time Lewes resident. A person is removed from the city’s voter registration list if they have not voted in two consecutive elections – 2020 and 2014 are Lewes’ most recent elections. Those who have not voted in consecutive elections will receive a certified letter from the city to inform them they will be removed. In most cases, Townshend said, names are removed because people have moved out of town or passed away.

Unlike the 2020 election, Townshend said, the city is not planning to send absentee ballot applications to every registered voter this year. Almost a year into the pandemic, she said most people have figured out their comfort level and will make a personal choice to vote in person or via mail-in ballot.

Mayor and city council passed an ordinance recently that changes the city code language pertaining to elections. In additional to traditional circumstances, the change allows a registered voter to request an absentee ballot due to personal or public health concerns.

To download a voter registration form or find other election-related information, go to ci.lewes.de.us/273/Election-Information.