<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/citylogo-clerk.png" alt="City of Columbia Missouri City Clerk's Office" width="175" height="101" style="margin-right: 5px;">
<div style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px; width:106px; height: 116px;"></div>
<div style="padding-top:40px;
text-align:center;">
<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both; text-align:center; padding-top: 20px;">
<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">May 6, 2026</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Clerk's Office
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7207</p>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Special election for Ward 4 City Council seat to take place Aug. 4; election petitions available for pick up, first day to file May 12</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - At the May 4 City Council meeting, Council voted to hold a special election on Aug. 4 for the Ward 4 city council member seat to be vacated by Nick Foster on June 12. Residents who wish to run for City Council for Ward 4 must file a nominating petition for office with the City Clerk's Office. Candidates may begin filing petitions for the election beginning May 12. The last date to file is June 2, no later than 5 p.m.<br /><br />Petitions, along with instructions, are available to be picked up from the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m., excluding weekends and City holidays.<br /><br />Candidates must be qualified voters and residents of Ward 4 and shall hold no lucrative public office, according to the City Charter. Candidates must obtain at least 50 signatures on a nominating petition from residents who reside in and are registered voters of Ward 4.
<br /><br />Maps of the Wards can be found at <a href="https://www.como.gov/boards/city-council/wards-map/">CoMo.gov/boards/city-council/wards-map/</a>.<br /><br />The Ward 4 Council seat will remain vacant beginning June 12 until a successor is elected and qualified. Once elected, the council member will serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which will conclude in April 2028.</div>
<br />
<div class="content"></div>
<br />
<div class="attachments">
This release has the following attachments:</div>
</div>
<div id="footerline">
<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
</div>
<style>
#pressrelease{ margin:20px; margin-top: 0px;}
.attachments{margin-top: -10px;}
@media print {
body {font-size: 90%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;}
#pressrelease{ margin: 0px; }
}
</style><p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>Archived press releases can be viewed online at:
https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/directory.php</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided at https://www.como.gov/Web_Mail/ </p><style>div{margin: 10px;}</style>