(a) Candidates for party nominations to municipal offices shall have their names printed on the official primary ballot by filing a declaration of candidacy and nominating petition with the Board of Elections of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and paying the required filing fee.
(b) Candidates for party nominations to each respective office receiving the highest number of votes cast for candidates for nomination to such office by the electors of their political party at the party primary election shall, subject to the exceptions hereinafter provided in (1) and (2) of this subsection (b), be declared nominated and their names as candidates for such office, together with their party designation, shall be printed on the official ballots at the next succeeding regular municipal election.
(1) A party primary election shall be held only in the event that more than two (2) persons file as candidates for nomination of the same political party, and either at least one (1) candidate from any other political party or at least one (1) independent candidate files for nomination to the office of Mayor, or Director of Law, or ward councilman. The two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast for candidates for nomination to such office in the party primary election shall be declared nominated and their names, together with their party designation, shall be printed on the official ballots as herein above provided.
(2) A party primary election shall be held only in the event that more than four (4) persons file as candidates for nomination of the same political party, and either at least one (1) candidate from any other political party or at least one (1) independent candidate files for nomination to the offices of councilman-at-large. The four (4) candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast for candidates for nomination to such offices in the party primary election shall be declared nominated and their names, together with their party designation, shall be printed on the official ballots as herein above provided.
(Amended 11-3-09.)