LEWISTON — The race for Lewiston mayor could be tight, if Monday’s activity is any indication.

Three people had taken out petitions to run for the job on the first day the nominating papers were available. Those potential candidates are Stanley Pelletier, of 28 Surry Lane, Robert Macdonald, of 6 Jolin St. and Walter M. Hill, of 10 Loubier Ave.

“And that’s kind of a surprise, considering none of them had announced anything beforehand,” City Clerk Kathy Montejo said.

Mayor Larry Gilbert has reached his term limit and cannot seek another term, according to the city charter.

Mark Paradis, who announced his plans to run for mayor in May, had not taken out nominating petitions as of 2 p.m. Monday.

Only incumbent Ward 1 City Councilor John Butler had taken out nominating petitions for any other seats as of 2 p.m. Monday. Butler is seeking re-election.

There’s still plenty of time. Lewiston candidates hoping to guarantee a spot on the Nov. 8 municipal ballot must file their nominating petitions and signatures by Sept. 9. The terms for the newly elected begin in January 2012. 

All 16 elected Lewiston seats will be on the November ballot. That includes the mayor, councilors for all seven wards, School Committee members for all seven wards and the at-large School Committee member.

Candidates for Lewiston mayor need to gather between 100 and 200 signatures from registered Lewiston voters. 

Candidates for Lewiston City Council or School Committee members must gather at least 50 signatures. For all City Councilors or School Committee members from a particular ward, signatures must come from registered voters from their ward. At-large School Committee candidates can gather signatures from any Lewiston registered voters.

Hill, a current member of the Lewiston School Committee, said he had collected more than half of his signatures by Monday afternoon.

“I’ve just been out around town, meeting the residents of Lewiston,” he said.

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