A race on next month’s municipal election ballot is no longer uncontested.

According to Saline County Clerk Brittni Burton, Marshall resident Bob Gauert has filed the necessary paperwork to become a registered write-in candidate in the race for the Ward Two city council seat. The seat is currently held by Nathan Swisher, who had been unopposed for re-election when candidacy filings closed Dec. 31.

Missouri state law says a write-in candidate’s name is not printed on the ballot, nor is their name posted at the polling place. The write-in candidate’s name must be spelled correctly for the vote to count. Prospective write-in candidates have until Friday, March 28, 2025 to file with their county’s election authority.

Two other seats for the Marshall City Council are contested. In the First Ward, incumbent John Allen Jr is facing a challenge from Harold Clayton. The open Third Ward seat is a race between Jeremy Gibson and Kristen Riley, after Charles Guthrey opted to not run for re-election. Harold Simmons is the only printed candidate for the Fourth Ward, and is seeking to succeed Steve Cook.

The general municipal election is April 8.