More Candidates Needed For 2019 Westport RTM Election

WESTPORT, CT — If you've ever thought about becoming a member of the Westport Representative Town Meeting, you're running out of time to sign up for this year's election, according to Town Clerk Patricia Strauss.

If you live in one of three specific districts out of the town's nine, your chances of joining the legislative body are very good because not enough candidates are signed up in them.

The deadline to run for Representative Town Meeting (RTM) by petition is one week away on Sept. 10, and currently, Districts 2, 4 and 8 "have fewer candidates than needed to complete the 4 member district representation," Strauss says.

Westport's RTM is a non-partisan legislative body consisting of four representatives from each of the town's nine districts. These members are elected for two-year terms.

"Currently, 8 petitions have been issued to persons interested in running as a petitioning candidate," Strauss said in a statement. "To date, 2 of those petitions have been returned and certified."

Added First Selectman Jim Marpe, "This is a wonderful opportunity for Westport residents to become involved in the workings of their Town. The non-partisan RTM plays a vital role in Town government and its decision making function. I urge interested citizens to file a petition to be placed on the ballot."

Petitions to run for the RTM are still available in the Town Clerk's Office (Room 105) in Westport Town Hall until the Sept. 10 deadline.

You must be a resident of Westport, and petitioners must gather 25 signatures from their district to qualify for placement on the Nov. 5 ballot.

For more information, contact Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss at 203-341-1105 or pstrauss@westportct.gov .

Further information may also be found on the Town website: http://www.westportct.gov.