Qualifying opens this morning for municipal candidates in Troy, Brundidge, Banks and Goshen.

City clerks will begin receiving statements of candidacy at 8 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. on July 17. “It’s a process where, just like everything else in life, there are some people who procrastinate and others who will be here at 8 o’clock with bells on,” said Troy City Clerk Alton Starling.

Referencing prior years, Starling said the majority of candidates seeking office for the next four-year term in Troy will likely file a statement of candidacy this morning. A few others should trickle in sporadically over the next two weeks.

When candidates visit with city clerks to file statements of candidacy, they must certify that they are qualified to hold the office where they are seeking election.

All mayoral candidates must have been residents of the municipality where they plan to run for at least 90 days prior to an election. Candidates vying for city council positions must reside in the district where they are running for at least 90 days prior to the election.

On top of that requirement, anyone elected to a city council member position must reside within the limits of the districts where they were elected during their terms in office. Elected mayors must continue to reside in the municipality where they were elected.

Every candidate seeking election as mayor or council member must pay a $50 qualification fee. Candidates will be given important information when they file including the requirement of a statement of economic interest, fair campaign practice reporting, calendar information, litter rules regarding signs, a map and voter list, Starling said.