The candidates vying for the open Ward 3 position on the Selma City Council has really come down to the haves and the have-nots when it comes to fundraising and expenditures.

In a review of campaign finance reports filed Thursday, there were only three candidates who were required to fill out full reports because they had either raised more than $1,000, spent more than $1,000 or in the case of two candidates, both.

According to the documents filed with the Dallas County Probate office, candidates Greg Bjelke and Gwen Brown both raised more than $1,000 and spent in excess of $1,000.

Candidate Tom Headley, while not reaching the $1,000 level in fundraising did spend more than $1,000, which required him to fill out the full report.

The reports were due by 5 p.m. Thursday, which is five days before the Tuesday, May 24 election.

Both Bjelke and Brown raised more than $3,000 in contributions, with Bjelke slightly outgaining Brown by $99.

Bjelke also outspent Brown, spending $2,975.47 so far in the campaign, while Brown had spent $2,293.40.

Headley has spent the third most so far in the campaign, spending $1,923.

Since the other candidates assumedly did not reach the $1,000 mark in either contributions or expenses, they were not required to file a report.

But, three candidates did file paperwork with the probate office, verifying they had not reached the $1,000 mark. Those candidates, Garfield Clarke, Pam West and Sherette Spicer, filed waivers with the probate office on Friday.

Karl Lewis did not file any paperwork with the office.

According to Janice McDonald, director of the Alabama Secretary of State’s Elections Division, said those candidates not meeting the $1,000 threshold are not required to file reports, but admitted there is really no way to prove the candidates are telling the truth.

“We really do not audit the financial forms and we really have to take the candidates word on it unless a complaint is filed,” McDonald said. She added the Secretary of State’s office does not investigate any claims, rather the cases are investigated by the Attorney General’s office.

Spicer said she had not reached the $1,000 level in either contributions or expenses.

“I’m in the red right now. I have spent my own money so far and hoped contributions would have helped in offsetting what I have spent,” Spicer said.

Pam West, when contacted, confirmed she had not raised more than $1,000 in the race, nor had spent that much money.

The reports do ask candidates to itemize all expenditures that are over $100 and all contributions over $100.

Bjelke reported just two contributions over the $100 limit totaling $650. The rest of his contributions, which amounted to $2,219, came in contributions that were each less than $100.

Brown reported she had raised $1,120 in donations that were more than $100 each and another $1,900 that consisted of donations less than $100.

Two of Headley’s contributions were less than $100, while just one was above the threshold.

The special election to fill the vacancy will be held Tuesday with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m.