FAYETTEVILLE — The two announced candidates for Fayetteville district judge filed petitions with the Arkansas secretary of state’s office to get on the May ballot.
William Storey, a retiring circuit judge, and Tim Snively, a Fayetteville lawyer, are facing off for the position held by Rudy Moore until his death last April. Moore spent 22 years on the bench and was re-elected unopposed to a four-year term in May 2012.
Storey, 71, said he submitted more than 1,000 signatures Tuesday. Snively, 49, posted notice on his campaign’s Facebook page.
Filing petitions is an alternative ballot access procedure to paying filing fees. Judicial and prosecuting attorney candidates are allowed to obtain signatures of registered voters. The secretary of state then confirms if the proper number of signatures were submitted. Once the petitions are confirmed, the candidate isn't required to pay a filing fee.
Storey estimated he would save $3,250 in filing fees by going the petition route.
Elections for Arkansas judges and prosecuting attorneys are nonpartisan.
Fayetteville District Court handles more than 15,000 cases a year. The judge’s annual salary is $121,800.
David Stewart was appointed to replace Moore. Stewart’s appointment expires Dec. 31. Stewart isn't eligible to run for the position, according to state law.
The Nonpartisan Judicial General Election is May 20. The judge selected in that election will finish Moore’s term and will be eligible to run for a full four-year term in the 2016 election.