Mayor Elaine Pluta already has three challengers while two School Committee members seek to switch to the CIty Council.
Ward 5A resident Bruce Weber waits to cast a ballot at the Elmer J. McMahon school in Holyoke's 2009 city election.HOLYOKE – Election season is underway.
City Councilor at Large Patricia C. Devine kicked off the 2011 election cycle by becoming the first to take out nomination papers and the first to file them.
Races for mayor, all 15 City Council seats and eight seats on the School Committee will be on the Nov. 8 election ballot.
Also, a committee has been studying the city charter since November 2009 and its recommendation for a new charter also is expected to be on the ballot.
A preliminary election would be held Sept. 20 to narrow the fields of some races if necessary.
Candidates must file nominations papers with the Registrar of Voters at City Hall by July 26.
Devine took out papers Jan. 11, moments before Mayor Elaine A. Pluta, and Devine filed her papers April 4.
Mayoral candidates must file papers bearing signatures of at least 250 registered voters.
The papers of City Council and school board candidates must have 50 signatures each.
The last day for residents to register to vote in the preliminary election is Aug. 31.
The last day for residents to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 19.
Pluta is seeking her second, two-year term as mayor. She was on the City Council for 14 years.
Seeking to replace Pluta as mayor are Alex B. Morse, who works as a youth counselor at CareerPoint; Antonio Colon Jr., of 81 Tokeneke Road, who was a candidate for mayor in 2009; and business consultant Daniel C. Boyle, whom Pluta defeated in 2009.
A trickle, which will soon be a flood, of political announcements is emerging. Councilor at Large Aaron M. Vega will kick off his reelection bid Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Open Square, 4 Open Square Way, Building 4, 4th Floor Gallery.
Ward 6 Councilor Todd A. McGee said he is running again to ensure the ward’s public safety needs are addressed and to keep questioning spending.
“I take nothing for granted. I am discussing the issues of concern with the voters of Ward 6 and I am listening to their ideas and challenges,” McGee said in a statement.
Some surprises have occurred. Ward 2 Councilor Diosdado Lopez, who has been the councilor there since 1991, isn’t running for reelection. Lopez, the first Hispanic elected to the council, said he needs to take a break.
Former Fire Commission member Anthony Soto, of 10 James St., has taken out nomination papers to run for the Ward 2 council seat. Soto ran unsuccessfully for city clerk in 2009.
Two School Committee members are seeking to shift to the City Council. Ward 1 Councilor Donald R. Welch faces a challenge from Gladys Lebron-Martinez, who is now the Ward 1 School Committee member.
Cesar A. Lopez, who represents Ward 4 on the School Committee, is among those seeking the Ward 4 Council seat that incumbent Timothy W. Purington said he wil vacate.