JYCG SPECIAL ELECTION: QUALIFYING DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

What is the Jonesboro Youth City  Government?

The JYCG welcomes rising scholars in grades 8th - 12th to apply, serve and represent the Youth as Mayor, City Council Members (6), City Manager, Director of Communications, Finance, Events, Secratary, and Committee Members. The selected ambassadors from the community will acquire a greater knowledge of and appreciation for local government through active participation in that system working with Mayor, Council, Department Heads, civic clubs and service organizations to provide service and leadership opportunities. JCYG will promote community pride and eliminate potential negative influences amongst our future community leaders.

What does it cost?

There is no cost to the student to participate in JYCG. The City of Jonesboro and local businesses will partner to cover program costs such as the speakers, ambassador packages and refreshments. 

When are meetings?

Monthly meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month at 6pm at the Jonesboro City Center with dinner provided. Please note that some of the dates take place during the summer. This program is a comprehensive commitment. During this program, some opportunities may require the student to travel, transportation will be provided.  

JYCG Special Election Rules & Process

The Jonesboro Youth City Government Special Election will be conducted to fill two vacancies within the Fourth Administration: one City Council seat and one Director position. The purpose of the special election is not only to fill these vacancies, but also to provide JYCG scholars with a practical civic education experience that reflects the major components of an actual election process, including qualification, campaigning, a candidate forum, voting, certification of results, appointment approval, and the oath of office.

Qualification Process

Any eligible scholar interested in seeking one of the vacant positions must complete and submit the official JYCG Special Election Application by September 4, 2026. Submission of an application does not automatically qualify an applicant as a candidate. JYCG program leadership will review each application to ensure that the applicant satisfies all eligibility requirements and is prepared to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Each applicant must identify the specific office they are seeking, and a scholar may qualify for only one position during the special election. Once eligibility has been verified, qualified applicants will receive official notification that they have been certified as candidates.

Candidate Eligibility

Candidates must be enrolled in grades 8–12 and meet all applicable JYCG membership requirements. Candidates must submit a complete application by the established deadline, remain in good standing, agree to comply with the JYCG Code of Conduct and all program policies, and be willing to fulfill the duties of the office for the remainder of the 2026–2027 administration. Candidates must also participate in the Special Election Candidate Forum unless an absence is approved in advance because of an extraordinary circumstance.

Campaign Period

The official campaign period will run from September 4 through September 21, 2026. Candidates may begin campaigning only after their qualification has been confirmed. Campaigns should focus on the candidate’s qualifications, ideas, leadership, service, platform, and vision for JYCG. Candidates may communicate with JYCG members and distribute appropriate campaign materials consistent with the established campaign rules. Personal attacks, bullying, harassment, intimidation, knowingly false statements, vote buying, offering gifts or favors in exchange for votes, destruction of another candidate’s materials, or misuse of City or JYCG resources are prohibited. Candidates may not represent or imply that they have been officially endorsed by the City of Jonesboro, Mayor, City Council, City staff, JYCG advisors, or JYCG leadership unless such an endorsement has been expressly authorized.

Special Election Candidate Forum

A JYCG Special Election Candidate Forum will be held in conjunction with the September JYCG meeting. Regular JYCG business will be conducted first, followed by the candidate forum. Each candidate will be provided an equal opportunity to address JYCG members, explain their platform, respond to moderated questions, and make the case for their candidacy. Each candidate will receive up to two minutes for an opening statement, equal time to respond to moderated questions, and up to one minute for a closing statement. Candidates seeking the same office will receive the same questions and equal speaking opportunities. Forum questions will not be provided to candidates in advance.

Special Election Voting

Immediately following the candidate forum, the JYCG Special Election will officially open. Current JYCG scholars and advisors will serve as the voting body, while advisors and designated program officials will administer and supervise the election. Voting will be conducted by secret ballot to protect the independence and integrity of each scholar’s vote. Each eligible JYCG member may cast one vote for the vacant City Council seat and one vote for the vacant Director position. Candidates remain eligible to vote and may vote for themselves.

Ballot Security and Vote Counting

Ballots will be distributed, collected, secured, and counted by at least two designated election officials / advisors who are not candidates. Candidates may not distribute, collect, handle, or count ballots. Following the count, the official vote totals will be recorded on a JYCG Special Election Certification Form and verified by the program director. Once certified, the results will become the official record of the JYCG Special Election.

Determining the Winner

The candidate receiving the highest number of valid votes cast for each office will be declared the winner of the JYCG Special Election, subject to certification of the election results and approval by the City of Jonesboro Mayor and City Council. If two or more candidates receive the same highest number of votes for an office, an immediate runoff election will be conducted between the tied candidates. The same secret-ballot and election-security procedures will apply to the runoff.

Recommendation to the Mayor and City Council

The special election represents the voice and recommendation of the JYCG membership. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each position will become JYCG’s official recommendation for appointment to the vacant position, subject to approval by the City of Jonesboro Mayor and City Council. The certified special election results and recommendations will be formally presented to the Mayor and City Council for consideration and approval.

Oath of Office

Following approval by the Mayor and City Council, the successful candidates will participate in an official swearing-in ceremony and take the JYCG Oath of Office before assuming their respective positions. Once sworn in, the newly appointed members will serve for the remainder of the JYCG Fourth Administration and will be expected to fulfill all responsibilities, attendance requirements, ethical standards, and leadership expectations associated with their respective offices.

 

Application Deadline

Sept. 4, 2026

Please answer the following questions honestly and thoughtfully:

Student Commitment Pledge

I hereby acknowledge that the information given above is accurate. Should I be selected as a JYCG Member, I will be expected to fully contribute and participate. I will be expected to attend monthly meetings and additional coordinated activities. I understand that failure to uphold commitment may result in removal from the program. I give permission to the community for the use of my photographs that are taken by staff in order to use for betterment of the program.

Parent Commitment Pledge

If my student is accepted into the program, understand and am fully aware of the responsibilities my child has associated with it. I am aware that during this program my child may be offered to take part in situations in which we will need to provide transportation.

JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT WAIVER

I, the undersigned Parent/Legal Guardian of "Member", hereby consent to and give my permission for the following: 1.) That the Member has my consent and permission to participate as a member of the JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT in all activities, which may be held in venues outside of the Jonesboro City Center. 2.) I acknowledge that the Member will be participating at his/her own risk and I, on his/her and my own behalf, hereby release, discharge and indemnify the City of Jonesboro and its subsidiaries from all liability for injury to person or damage to property of myself and the Member arising out of participation in, and transportation associated with, JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT. 3.) In permitting the Member to participate, I am specifically granting permission to The City of Jonesboro and The JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT to use the likeness, voice and words of the Member in television, radio, films, newspapers, magazines and other media, and in any form not heretofore described, for the purpose of advertising or communicating the purposes and activities of the JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT and appealing for funds to support such activities. 4.) In the event of an accident or illness during JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT activities, I understand that reasonable effort will be made to contact the parent/guardian or emergency contact immediately. However, I am aware that if the injury or illness appears serious and the parent/guardian or emergency contact cannot be reached, the adult in charge will secure emergency medical care as needed. By signing below you affirm that you have read and agree to the expectations and guidelines of the City of Jonesboro and The JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT. 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, COVENANT NOT TO SUE, AND MEDIA RELEASE

“Activity” is defined as attending and participating in JONESBORO YOUTH CITY GOVERNMENT planned events including, but not limited to, presentations, meal events and teambuilding. “Minor” is defined as someone who is under the age of 18. In consideration of being given the opportunity to participate in the Activity, I, as the parent or legal guardian of the Minor, for the Minor, myself, our personal representatives, heirs, assigns, and next of kin do hereby acknowledge and agree as follows: 1. Assumption of Risk: I hereby assume any and all risks associated with the Minor’s participation in the Activity or related activities and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages incurred as a result of the Minor’s participation in the Activity. The Minor agrees to act with due regard for his/her own safety and the safety of others. I agree to supervise the Minor throughout the Activity or have appointed another responsible adult to do so to ensure the safety of the Minor and others. 2. Release of Liability: I fully release, covenant not to sue, and hold harmless The City of Jonesboro and any of its agents, directors, members or employees for any and all claims arising, directly or indirectly, out of the Activity including, but not limited to, all claims for injuries, demands, rights, promises, damages, liabilities, or losses sustained during the Activity, including any claims for invasion of privacy, appropriation of likeness, or defamation. I also agree to hold harmless and indemnify the City of Jonesboro from any and all liability, cost, or expense, including attorney’s fees, claimed by any other person arising directly or indirectly from an action or inaction by the Minor during the Activity. 3. Media Release: I fully authorize the City of Jonesboro and its affiliates to use the Minor’s name, likeness, or image for purposes of advertising, marketing, or promotion without further compensation, except where prohibited by law; and I further acknowledge and agree that any images or recordings obtained or procured by the City of Jonesboro in the course of the Activity and preparation for the Activity shall be the sole and exclusive property of the City of Jonesboro and may be published, broadcast, reproduced and used in any media at the exclusive discretion of the City of Jonesboro including on the internet. I also understand and agree that I may be identified by name and/or title in printed, Internet or broadcast information that might accompany the photographs and/or video recordings of me. I waive the right to approve the final product. I hereby warrant that I am eighteen (18) years old or more and competent to contract in my own name or, if I am less than eighteen years old, that my parent or guardian has signed this release form below. This release is binding on me and my heirs, assigns and personal representatives.