Bayonne City Clerk Madelene Medina has announced she has reduced the number of signatures needed on petitions of nomination for the non-partisan May 12th municipal elections. Ward council candidates must have been residents of the ward in which they live for at least one year. 1st Ward, 2nd Ward, and 3rd Ward council candidates need at least 25 valid signatures in their respective wards. Before the update, mayor and council at-large candidates had to obtain 870 valid signatures, 1st Ward council candidates need 300 signatures, 2nd Ward nominees will require 260 signatures, and 3rd Ward candidates must submit 315. Meanwhile, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer first told HCV that she was not seeking re-election via a letter to the editor.