Fountain Hills Sets Candidate Rules for 2026 Election | The Locally Times
Fountain Hills requires in-person filing and one-year residency for candidates seeking office in the August 4, 2026, primary election.
A public notice from the Town of Fountain Hills has outlined the timeline and requirements for the 2026 election cycle. The Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to elect one mayor for a two-year term and three councilmembers for four-year terms. Official documents state that if a candidate does not receive a majority of votes in the primary, a runoff will occur during the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Prospective candidates are directed to the Town Clerk’s Office to obtain official candidate packets. ## Candidate Qualifications and Filing Deadlines To qualify for the ballot, candidates must meet three criteria outlined in the town's election notice. An individual must be at least 18 years of age, be a qualified elector at the time of filing, and have resided within the Town of Fountain Hills for one continuous year immediately preceding the election. The official filing period opens on March 7, 2026. All required paperwork must be submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office by the firm deadline of 5:00 p.m. on April 6, 2026, giving candidates a one-month window to formalize their campaigns. ## Filing Process and In-Person Mandate Individuals must first submit a Statement of Interest before collecting petition signatures and filing other required documents, which include nomination papers and a financial disclosure statement. The town has instituted a strict in-person submission policy for all forms. The notice clarifies that electronic submissions are not permitted, requiring candidates or their representatives to be physically present to complete the filing process before the April 6 deadline. ## Obtaining Critical Campaign Information While the public notice provides a general overview, prospective candidates must obtain the official candidate packet to access key campaign details. The packet specifies the number of valid petition signatures required to qualify for the mayoral or town council ballots, a figure not included in the initial announcement. Similarly, the packet defines the scope of the required financial disclosure statement, including the reporting period, types of assets to be declared, and the public accessibility of the forms. Residents seeking to obtain a candidate packet are directed to contact Town Clerk Bev Bender or Deputy Town Clerk Angela Padgett-Espiritu. The town’s notice also provides a link to its Elections webpage for additional information.