An eligible elector of the City may become a candidate for an elective City office by filing with the County Commissioner of Elections a valid petition requesting that the elector’s name be placed on the ballot for that office, or by filing a valid petition with the designated City Clerk. The petition must be filed not more than seventy-one (71) days or less than forty-seven (47) days before the date of the election and must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to at least two percent (2%) of those who voted to fill the same office at the last regular City election, but not less than ten (10) persons.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 376.4)