New Warner Robins candidate requirements now official | Elections | Macon.com

WARNER ROBINS — Age and residency requirement changes for city candidates are official following this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Though City Council voted in January to change the requirements for anyone running for local office, the decision required a federal stamp of approval. But the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision changed that, making the new requirements official, City Attorney Jim Elliott said.

“Essentially, there is no more constitutional requirement to have a review by the Department of Justice,” he said.

Now a person must be at least 21 years old to run for council and 23 years old to run for mayor, in addition to having lived in the city at least one year and within a council district for at least six months. Previously, candidates for mayor and council had to be 18 years old with at least three months in the city.

Qualifying for the mayoral and council races is in August. The election is Nov. 5. Elliott said public notices for the seats will reflect the changes.

via New Warner Robins candidate requirements now official | Elections | Macon.com.