KEENE, N.H.—The field of candidates for Keene’s upcoming municipal election continued to expand Tuesday, with three more contenders stepping into city council races just days before the filing window closes.

John Schmitt filed for the open Ward 3 seat, where he will face Michele Ellis. The position is currently held by Councilor Andrew Madison, who announced earlier that he will not seek another term. Meanwhile, Samantha Jackson and Steven Lindsey joined the race for councilor at-large, swelling the roster of hopefuls vying for one of five citywide seats.

They join a crowded at-large contest that already includes Laura Ruttle-Miller, Emily Benson, Michele Chalice, Robert Johnson, incumbent Randy Filiault, and Councilor Mitch Greenwald, who is shifting from his current Ward 2 seat. Brian Phillips briefly entered that race last week but has since withdrawn, according to the city clerk’s office.

Ward-level contests are also taking shape. In Ward 5, Shane Brown is challenging incumbent Philip Jones, while Ed Haas, now an at-large councilor, has filed for the Ward 2 seat. Ward 1 Councilor Kris Roberts and Ward 4 Councilor Catt Workman remain unopposed, as does Jacob Favolise, who is seeking to complete the remainder of his Ward 1 term after being appointed last year.

At the top of the ballot, Mayor Jay Kahn faces a familiar challenger in Bradford Hutchinson, setting up a rematch of their 2023 race.

In addition to council seats, all ward-specific election officer positions — moderators, clerks, checklist supervisors, and selectmen — are also open. To qualify, candidates who have not yet filed must collect at least 50 petition signatures from residents of their ward or district and submit them in person to the city clerk’s office by Friday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m.

Keene voters will first head to the polls for the municipal primary on Tuesday, Oct. 7, followed by the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.