Korpela: Candidates can't be kept off Bessemer ballot

By IAN MINIELLY

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BESSEMER — During Monday’s Bessemer City Council meeting, Linda Nelson brought up the requirement in the city’s charter that prospective candidates for city office must be a resident within the city for at least two years to run for office.

Under the two-year requirement, at least three of the currently registered write-in candidates would be disqualified, potentially throwing the election into turmoil.

The council voted 3-2 on Monday to seek a legal opinion from city attorney Mike Korpela, if they could get it quickly.

Korpela said Wednesday under...