While qualifying has yet to begin for the upcoming Cape Coral City Council municipal election, the election season has quietly opened with its first multi-candidate meet-and-greet.

As of deadline Thursday, there were 11 announced candidates spread among the four seats up for grabs with only the District 1 council seat attracting only one contender thus far.

City Clerk Rebecca van Deutekom said there has traditionally been a flurry of activity as the week-long qualification period, set this year election cycle for July 3-7, comes and goes, but it varies election to election.

“It’s hard to say or compare one year to the next. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a flurry of activity or if this ends up being the candidates we have,” van Deutekom said. “It’s not uncommon for people to turn in paperwork early. I anticipate we’ll have some kind of flurry, but don’t know how many more.”

As of Thursday, the announced candidates for mayor and districts 1, 4 and 6 are:

* Mayor (Mayor Marni Sawicki has said she will not seek re-election.)

Announced:

Derrick Donnell

Rana Erbrick (Current District 5 council memebr)

Michael Hollow

Kevin Koch

Sherry Leonard

* District 1 (Incumbent Jim Burch has not announced his intention to run for a second term or not)

Announced:

James Foraker

* District 4

Announced:

Richard Leon (incumbent)

Jennifer Nelson

Jeffrey Jones

* District 6

Announced:

John Karcher

Rick Williams (incumbent)

John Derrig and Joel Howard have withdrawn from the District 6 race.

Qualifying for candidates will run from Monday, July 3, at 7:30 a.m. to Friday, July 7 at 1 p.m., excluding July 4.

Candidates must pay the required fees and complete all paperwork in the Office of the City Clerk during the qualifying period. A financial disclosure form must also be completed and a voter registration card must be presented.

The primary election is Sept. 12. The general election is Nov. 7. Early voting dates for the primary are Sept. 5 to 9 and from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4.

Cape Coral municipal elections are non-partisan, citywide elections, meaning all registered voters may cast a ballot in all races regardless of party affiliation and the district in which the voter resides.

All candidates must be continuous, full-time residents of the city for the entire calendar year preceding their qualification for office and must also reside in their respective districts. Terms are for four years.

The total fee to run for city council is $426, which includes the filing fee of $100 plus the Election Assessment fee of 1 percent of the annual salary of $32,600 ($326).

The total fee to run for mayor is $516, which includes the filing fee of $150 plus the Election Assessment fee of 1 percent of the annual salary of $36,600 ($366).