Candidates can file now to run for office
by Geoff Fox
In April, residents within the town limits of Hancock will be taking to the polls to vote in the municipal election, choosing a town mayor and two council members.
Tim Smith currently holds the mayor seat while Roland Lanehart, Jr. and Josh McCusker hold the two council seats that will be on the ballot.
Two other council seats won’t be up for election until April, 2025.
The municipal election will be held Monday, April 17, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Hancock Town Hall and Community Center.
The town is now accepting applications from town residents to fill those seats.
The mayor serves a two-year term and council members serve for a four-year term.
Who can run?
To be eligible for either office, applicants must be residents in the town for at least one year immediately preceding their election and shall be qualified voters of the town.
Applicants for nomination may be obtained at Town Hall and Community Center, 126 West High Street, during normal business hours of 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
All nomination applications must be received no later than Thursday, February 16 at 3:30 p.m.
No person shall file for nomination for more than one elective town public office or hold more than one elective public office at any time.
For example, a council member who wants to run for mayor must resign their council seat to be a candidate.
All bona fide residents within the corporate limits of the Town of Hancock who are citizens of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and properly registered to vote in the Town election at the time of elections shall be a qualified voter.
Register to vote
Eligible persons who wish to register to vote in Hancock’s election can pick up a voter registration at the post office or Town Hall during regular business hours until 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 23.
The town also allows for absentee voters.
Any qualified voter who may be unavoidably absent from the town for any reason on election day or has a physical disability or confinement in or restriction to an institution prevents or will prevent them from being present and personally voting at the polls on election day.
The application for absentee ballots shall be provided by the Hancock Board of Election Supervisors and is available upon request. Voters wanting an absentee ballot should write to: Board of Election Supervisors, 126 West High Street, Hancock, MD, 21750, requesting an absentee ballot for the April 17 election.
Written requests for an absentee ballot must be received no later than 14 days prior to the election, which would be Monday, April 3.
If not yet registered to vote, registration can be accomplished by completing a voter’s registration card at the Town Office or picked up at the post office. All registrations must be completed and on file no later than 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 23.
