ALPHARETTA — The 2023 election for mayor and city council members in Alpharetta will see no candidates running opposed for the key city positions, as the qualifying period came to a close with only one candidate qualifying for each seat.
The qualifying period, a designated time during which individuals who reside in the city can declare their intention to run for office, was open from August 21 to 23. Qualifying is a crucial step in the electoral process, allowing eligible citizens to appear on the election ballot as a candidate for a specific office. It ensures the candidates meet all legal requirements and lays the groundwork for an organized election.
For Alpharetta, the qualifying period yielded the following results:
- Mayor: Jim Gilvin (incumbent)
- City Council Post 4: John Hipes (incumbent)
- City Council Post 5: Fergal Brady
- City Council Post 6: Dan Merkel (incumbent)
What it means: While unopposed city government races aren’t unheard of, they typically underscore either a community’s satisfaction with current leadership or its a lack of interest or engagement in local governance. With three incumbents running unopposed it is a strong indicator that Alpharetta residents are happy with their local government.
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