Poplar Bluff city officials say one candidate has been removed from the April 7 contest for an at-large council seat.
The seats of at-large council members Steve Davis and Ron Black are up for re-election, as well as the Ward 5 seat of Mayor Robert Smith. Filing opened Dec. 18 and will continue until Jan. 21.
Dr. John Risinger was one of four people to file Dec. 18 for the at-large seats.
Risinger was notified Monday that he does not meet the residency requirements for the office, according to city officials.
City ordinance requires all candidates be a resident of the city for one full year prior to filing for office.
Risinger does not meet this ordinance, officials report. His voting record showed 3023 N. 14th as his address, which is in the county, including for the August 2018 election.
Risinger changed his address to his current address of 1412 Meadowbrook on the day he filed for council, records show.
“Based upon the information that he has given us, it appears that he now resides within the city limits but according to voting records and other records, he has not resided in the city for the required one year prior to election per Ordinance 7376,” according to a statement released by the city.
Davis, Robert Duckett and Chester Pumphrey have also filed for the at-large seats, which will still face contest. Black has said previously he is undecided about filing for re-election.
Smith is the only candidate to file for the Ward 5 seat to date.