The City of Milford Council elections will be held Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM to 6 PM, but only if more than one candidate files for open seats. As of mid-February, only two people have announced their candidacy. Kim Wills will run for Ward 2 and Dawn Tomczak for Ward 4.
Terms that end in 2026 include Councilwoman Madula Kalesis in Ward 1, Councilwoman Lori Connor in Ward 2, Councilman Michael Stewart in Ward 3 and Councilwoman Katrina Wilson in Ward 4. When Wills announced her candidacy, she stated that Connor had indicated she would not run again.
In addition, Mayor Todd Culotta’s term ends this year. If he files to run again, his term will be for three years rather than two due to a city charter change that went into effect this year.
The deadline to file for candidacy is Tuesday, February 24 at 4:30 PM. In order to file for candidacy, a nominating petition signed by not less than ten registered voters in the City of Milford, a Statement of Eligibility and Acknowledgement of Candidacy must be filed in the City Clerk’s office by the deadline. Criminal background checks are also required in order to run.
Candidates must be a citizen of the United States and a bonafide resident of the City of Milford. In order to run for mayor, the candidate must have continuously resided in the City of Milford for two years preceding the day of the election. To run for a council seat, the candidate must have continuously resided in the ward for the seat they are seeking for one year preceding the date of the election. They must also be a qualified voter in the City of Milford, be 18 years of age as of the date of the election and have no felony convictions involving moral turpitude.
Any individual registered to vote in the State of Delaware at a residence within the city limits is eligible to vote. A separate registration is still required at Milford City Hall for non-resident property owners who qualify. This can be accomplished by calling the City Clerk’s office. Non-resident property owners who own property in more than one ward must declare which ward they want to cast their vote by Tuesday, February 24. The deadline for new qualified voters to register with the Department of Elections is Thursday, March 26 at 4:30 PM.
In order for a non-resident property owner to vote, the property within city limits used to qualify them cannot be registered under a corporation, partnership, limited partnership or other legally created entity. The property must be registered in the name of the voter, according to City Code Article II d2.01.
