Only one of Hampton's six aldermen filed to run for re-election in next year's municipal election. The rest missed the deadline, and no one else filed.
Candidate filing deadlines in the state were in November, earlier than usual, because the Arkansas Legislature voted to hold next year's party primaries in March rather than May. That change resulted in some candidates forgetting to file for office, Hampton Mayor Rick Shirron said.
But a provision in the Arkansas Constitution is being cited as a way to prevent angst over next year's City Council election in the Calhoun County town.
Under Article 19, Section 5 of the state constitution, the aldermen who did not file will still be able to serve.
The law states that "all officers shall continue in office after the expiration of their official terms, until their successors are elected and qualified."
Since none of the aldermen drew any opponents, they will serve until they are voted out of office, die or somehow become ineligible, said David Schoen, an attorney for the Arkansas Municipal League.
"It's not that uncommon," Schoen said. "We have seen this play out many times before, especially on smaller municipal levels. A̶ ̶l̶o̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶s̶,̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶e̶a̶s̶i̶e̶r̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶f̶i̶l̶e̶,̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶ ̶s̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶f̶i̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶l̶l̶.̶"*
Initially, the situation in Hampton created confusion at City Hall, with the mayor and others wondering what would happen.
Only one alderman -- Lillie Randal -- filed for office. She didn't draw an opponent, according to the Calhoun County clerk's office.
Shirron said he has had several people researching the matter.
"It's been a little confusing for us, but we are working through it," the mayor said. "It has been my understanding all along that they would be able to keep their seats, though. We just had to make sure it was absolutely legal and by the book."
Alderman John Thompson said he missed the filing deadline, but he knew he would still be able to keep his seat.
Randal laughed when asked what she thought about being the only alderman to file.
"At least folks around here will know I have a good memory," she said.
Randal said she filed because she is running for her seat for the first time. She was appointed to fill a vacant slot and said she wanted to keep the job.
"I spoke with a good friend who has political experience, and he advised me that it would be best for me to run, just to be safe," Randal said. "So that's what I did. I was surprised when I got down there to file, and they told me I was the only one. I love serving the people of Hampton. I think next year is going to be a good one."
State Desk on 12/06/2015
*CORRECTION: Larry Smith, a retired political scientist who lives in Pine Bluff, said, “A lot of times, it’s easier not to file, and you can save that filing fee as well.” An article about Hampton City Council members not filing for office in Dec. 6 editions incorrectly attributed the statement to another person.