Now that the deadline to collect the necessary number of signatures to appear on the ballot has passed, it’s officially a two-horse race for the vacant Third Ward city council seat in Marshalltown.

Voters will have the opportunity to choose between Chris Bennett and Greg Nichols when they go to the polls on Sept. 12. Bennett, a 2006 MHS graduate, works for the State of Iowa as an IT Systems Administrator in the probation/parole office, and Nichols, who has called Marshalltown home for over 40 years, is the manager of IT services for Jenzabar Inc.

Two other potential candidates have bowed out of consideration. Doris Kinnick initially submitted a letter of interest for appointment but withdrew it before the most recent city council meeting, and Leopoldo “Sunny” Reyes submitted a letter of interest and attended last week’s meeting — the council ultimately decided against making a short-term appointment — but told the T-R Monday morning that he has decided not to continue. The Marshall County Auditor/Recorder’s office confirmed that Reyes did not submit a nomination petition.

Early voting for the special election, which will also include three ballot measures regarding proposed franchise fees on electric and gas bills for city residents, will begin as soon as the auditor/recorder’s office receives ballots. Look for a questionnaire with responses from both candidates in a future edition of the T-R.