By Kim McDarison

Whitewater Common Councilwoman Jill Gerber did not turn in paperwork for inclusion on the April ballot, according to Whitewater city staff members.  

Gerber, along with other candidates looking to run for a seat representing Aldermanic District 4, had until Tuesday at 5 p.m. to file nomination papers.

According to Whitewater Chief of Staff Taylor Zeinert, who released on Tuesday a public notice, Gerber did not file an EL-163 Notification of Non-candidacy or an EL-162 Declaration of Candidacy. Consequently, the filing deadline for the declaration of candidacy paperwork has been extended by 72 hours.

The extension applies to everyone except the incumbent, the notice reported, adding that a new filing deadline for other candidates looking to run for the now open seat is Friday, Jan. 5, at 5 p.m.

Those interested in running for the open seat are encouraged to visit the city clerk’s office at the Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater St., to receive forms or print them from the Wisconsin Election Commission’s website: https://elections.wi.gov/forms. 

All forms should be returned by the deadline to the city clerk’s office.

Additionally, Zeinert reported that three candidates have thus far completed documents required to be on the April ballot.

They are Greg Majkrzak, who is running for an open at-large seat held by the late Jim Allen; Brian Schanen, who is running for Gerber’s now open seat, and Orin Smith, a newcomer who is running for an open seat held by Lukas Schreiber. Schreiber made his intentions not to seek reelection for his Aldermanic District 2 seat known late last year. 

None of the city’s incumbents will be on the April ballot.

A deadline has also been extended for those looking to run for the open seat held by the late Jim Allen. The deadline to file paperwork to run for the seat is Friday, Jan. 5, at 5 p.m.

WhitewaterWise extended a request for comment from Gerber Tuesday afternoon, regarding her intensions about making a run in April. Our request, as of Tuesday evening, did not receive a reply.

This story may be updated.