Candidate filing for two seats on the Columbia Board of Aldermen is now underway and ends at noon Friday, July 19, Debbie Swain, Tyrrell’s elections director, stated.

The four-year terms of Lloyd Armstrong and Sandra Owens will expire on December 1.

The municipal election will be held November 5.

Candidates must be at least 21 years old by the general election date and be a registered voter qualified to vote in an election for the office sought.

Candidates must file a notice of candidacy with their county board of elections to be listed on ballots in the general election.

Candidates also must set up a committee with the county board of elections within 10 days of filing a notice of candidacy and comply with all other campaign finance requirements. More information on this subject is available from Swain’s office.

The State Board of Elections will maintain a list of candidates statewide on its website.

“Service at the municipal level often has the most direct impact on the communities in which we live. We hope many candidates sign up to run for local office this year,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “We also encourage eligible individuals across the state to make sure they are registered to vote in their local elections.”

You must be a resident of Columbia to vote in its elections. Voters must be registered 25 days before an election to vote on Election Day.

For November’s election, the registration deadline is Oct. 11. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Tyrrell Hall, 906 Hwy 64 East.

Other Columbia aldermen, who terms end in 2021, are Hal Fleming, Suzanne Griffin, and Bryan Owens. Mayor James Cahoon’s term ends in 2021 also.