The race to become Clayton's next mayor started on Tuesday morning with three residents officially registering with city hall. 

Ward 3 Alderman Alex Berger III, Ward 2 Alderwoman Michelle Harris and former Ward 3 Alderman Harold Sanger all registered when the filing period began at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. They had all previously announced their intentions to run. 

Sanger, who previously chaired* the city's Plan Commission and Architectural Review Board, was the first in line. He and family members started rotating shifts at 7:30 p.m. on Monday outside city hall, ensuring his name would appear first on the ballot. 

With temperatures just below 30 degrees, Harris arrived at 4:15 a.m.* and Berger III just before 8 a.m. 

The filing period will stay open until 5 p.m. on Jan. 15. To run for office, a candidate must be at least 25 years old and a registered voter, and must have lived in Clayton for at least two years prior to the election date. 

The mayor is the only open seat in Clayton. Mayor Linda Goldstein will hit her term limit in April 2013 after two consecutive terms.

Elected officials serve terms of three years. The election is scheduled for April 2, 2013.

Each candidate has a website with more information:

• Alex Berger III
• Michelle Harris
• Harold Sanger

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*CORRECTION (12:15 p.m.): A previous version of this article incorrectly listed a component of Sanger's background and Harris' arrival time to city hall. I'm very sorry for the errors.