POINT PLEASANT — The upcoming city election in Point Pleasant is the first of its kind.

After voters decided on a city charter change a few years ago, the city’s general election will now be held at the same time as the county’s primary election. This election is the first to fall after the charter change.

However, this change has caused some confusion for city voters.

Only the county races are for a primary election while the city’s races are for its general election. Whomever gets the most votes on May 8 in the city election will be elected to a term of four years. Of course, whomever wins in the county’s primary election races will go on to compete with their opponents in the general election in November. But, again, there will be no “November” in terms of races for city seats.

Also, when it comes to the city election portion of the May 8 ballot, voters can vote for whatever candidate they choose no matter their party affiliation - for example, a registered Democrat can vote for a Republican candidate and a registered Republican can vote for a Democratic candidate but only on the city portion of the ballot. In the city election it’s possible to cross party lines because, again, this is a general election, not a primary.

Something else to keep in mind when voting on May 8 is the city portion of the ballot will be the last item a voter in the city of Point Pleasant will decide. (Obviously, those outside the city limits will not have a city ballot to choose from). GOP in the city will have to exercise a little patience to get to the end of their ballot with is 17 pages long thanks to 19 delegates who need chosen for the Republican National Convention.

As for the Democrats, their ballot is only seven pages long and requires a little less patience to get through when it comes to the city election portion at the end.

Candidates running for offices in the upcoming city election are as follows:

Republicans

Mayor Brian Billings; City Clerk Amber Tatterson; Janet Hartley and Charles Towner, council-at-large seats; Doug Tawney (first ward); Councilman Robert Doeffinger (second ward); Mary Perdue (third ward); Keith Sargent (fourth ward); Councilwoman Elaine Hunt (fifth ward); Councilwoman Linda Smith (sixth ward); Bob Rulen (seventh ward); and Rick Simpkins (eighth ward).

Democrats

Tom McNeely, mayor; Brandy Barkey-Sweeney, city clerk; Kevin Nott and Ashley Wood, council-at-large seats; Jim Fetty (first ward), Danny Spurlock (second ward), Allen J. Moran (third ward), Brandon Sweeney, (fourth ward), Brook Kapp (sixth ward), Randy Hall (seventh ward), Jacob Hill (eighth ward).