As the only candidate to sign up for the job, Barton Alderman will return to the Springfield mayor’s seat.

Qualifying for a special election to fill the mayor’s position concluded Wednesday, and Alderman, who previously served as mayor, was the only person to qualify. The city will not hold an election, since Alderman will be deemed to have voted for himself.

Alderman first was appointed to city council in February 2001, taking over for Derrell Banks. In July 2004, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Neel Ackerman. Alderman was unopposed for re-election to a full term in 2005 and did not seek re-election in 2009.

The mayor’s position became open when Jeff Northway, elected in 2009 to succeed Alderman, resigned last month. Northway’s resignation followed a lengthy legal battle, beginning with council members asking for his resignation in November 2010. A superior court judge upheld their request in July 2011, but the state’s highest court overturned that decision in June.