A qualified elector who will have resided in the City during the 12 months immediately preceding the election may be nominated for an elective City office to be filled at the election. The nomination shall be by a petition that specifies the office sought and shall be in a form prescribed by the Council. All nomination papers comprising a petition shall be assembled and filed with the recorder as one instrument not earlier than 120 nor later than 95 days before the election or as required by state and county or federal laws, the City is required to provide greater or lesser time for fifing such a petition, in which case, such state, county or federal law shall prevail; provided always, however, that, to any state, county or federal applicable time frame shall be added five days, to allow the manager time to verify signatures and to conduct such other administrative duties as may be required or desired by the Council. The manager shall notify an eligible person of his or her nomination. The petition of nomination for a successful candidate at an election shall be preserved in the office of the manager until the term of office for which the candidate is elected expires.