Barring a last-minute flurry, the election ballot for city offices may look awfully blank.
As of late Wednesday, only one candidate had entered Ely’s mayoral race while a contest for three city council positions had attracted only one as well.
A two-week filing period closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 at City Hall.
So far, incumbent Heidi Omerza is the lone candidate for mayor while former Ely council member Mark Zupec has been the only person to jump into the council race.
While the general election isn’t until November, the filing period takes place now in case there are enough candidates to trigger an August primary.
The primary seems very unlikely at the moment and it will take some late filings just to ensure there’s any sort of race as well.
Omerza served 16 years as a council member before winning the mayor’s seat in 2022.
She was re-elected without opposition in 2024 and is now seeking a third term.
The council positions held by Al Forsman, Angela Campbell and Adam Bisbee are up for grabs and all carry four-year terms.
Candidates for mayor or the city council election are able to file at City Hall, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Affidavits of candidacy may also be found online at www.ely.mn.us/elections. Filing fee is $5 and candidates must be Ely residents.
If three or more candidates enter the mayoral race, it would trigger an August primary.
At least seven city council candidates are needed to hold a council primary, also in August.
The general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
