In Riverdale Park, Mayor and Council Will Run Unopposed

Looks like it'll be a quick election in Riverdale Park, as every candidate is running unopposed, including Mayor Vernon Archer.

Furthermore, there is still no candidate for Ward 6. Town Administrator Sara Imhulse said a resident could run as a write-in candidate for Ward 6.

Imhulse said in the past when there was not a candidate, someone was appointed to represent the ward by the mayor.

Qualifications to run for office are that the person must be 25-years-old, a U.S. citizen, reside within town limits for six months and must be registered to vote in the ward they want to represent. Candidates have to file a petition with signatures from 15 registered voters and a financial disclosure. They also need to pay a $25 filing fee.

To vote in the election, you must be 18-years-old, be a U.S. citizen, lived in the town for 45 days and be registered as a voter in the ward where you reside.

Riverdale Park's mayor and council are paid positions — the mayor receives $7,200 a year, while councilmembers receive $3,600 a year.

This year's candidates for the May 2 election are:

Mayor: Vernon Archer

Ward 1: Jonathan Ebbeler

Ward 2: Alan Thompson

Ward 3: David Lingua

Ward 4: Chris Henry

Ward 5: Raymond Rivas

Ward 6: none

If someone is interested in running as a write-in candidate, they should contact the town administrator Sara Imhulse at town hall at 301-927-6381. 

This story has been corrected. An earlier version of this story included incorrect information about the qualifications to vote. We regret the error.