Escalon will have an election this November.

As of the Friday, Aug. 12 original deadline for filing, three candidates had turned in the nomination papers and required 20 valid signatures from registered voters to make it on the ballot. They include incumbent councilman and mayor pro tem Jeff Laugero, former councilmember and past police chief Walter Murken and local resident Will Smith. There are two seats coming available on the council this year.

City Manager Tammy Alcantor confirmed on Monday that all three candidates had been verified as being eligible for the ballot.

Incumbent councilman and current Mayor Gary Haskin did not take out papers and said he will not seek re-election.

“Twenty years is enough,” he noted with a smile, adding that he thoroughly enjoyed working with the council and serving the city.

Because Haskin, an incumbent, did not file for re-election, that allows for an extension of the original Aug. 12 deadline until today, Wednesday, Aug. 17. Alcantor said residents still interested in seeking to run in November can turn in all required paperwork at City Hall today.

“They should call me and come in sooner rather than later,” Alcantor said of hopefuls getting the required papers and signatures turned in before the end of the business day.

Contact Alcantor at 209-691-7400 for additional information or to schedule a time to submit the paperwork.

Those seeking election to the council run for at-large seats; the city does not have specific seats for specific areas. The top two vote-getters will win the four-year terms on the board. Escalon’s mayor is not a separate position on the ballot, either; once the council is seated, they select a mayor and a mayor pro tem from among the five council members.

With a pending election, the Chamber of Commerce has expressed interest in hosting a ‘Candidate Night’ forum/debate. Look for additional details in The Times as they become available.