Getting on the ballot: A Q&A

Former Mayor John Street, a Democrat-turned-registered independent, says he won't run for mayor or City Council at large.

Q: How does a candidate who is not a registered Democrat or Republican get on the ballot?

A: Independent and third-party candidates must collect 1,845 signatures from registered voters on nominating petitions.

Q: Why 1,845?

A: That is 2 percent of the votes cast for the last citywide election winner, District Attorney Seth Williams in 2009. The deadline to submit the petitions is Monday.

Q: How many signatures do Democratic and Republican candidates need?

A: They need 1,000 signatures from members of their party to get on the primary ballot for citywide office.

Q: Who is expected to file Monday?

A: Cheri Honkala, activist for the poor and homeless, is the Green Party candidate for sheriff. She promises to eliminate sheriff's sales on foreclosed homes, one of the office's chief tasks. Richie Antipuna, co-host of a TV show about Kensington, is the Green Party candidate for the City Commission. He used his show last year to focus on the acts of a serial killer who was strangling neighborhood women.[END]

— Chris Brennan