Looking to run for a municipal office in McKean, Elk, Cameron or Potter counties?
Petitions to appear in the May 16 primary election have to be filed with local election offices by today.
“At this point in time, return of petitions had been fairly light,” McKean County Elections Director Dinah Gallegos told The Era. “However, today (Monday) we have had a steady stream all morning.”
Specifically, several positions are up for grabs, including county controller, prothonotary and clerk of courts, sheriff and treasurer. In addition, magisterial district judge positions will be on the ballot, as will Bradford City controller and council seats.
Across McKean County, municipal and school district races will include those for mayor, borough council, township supervisor, tax collector, auditor, school director, judge of election and inspector of election.
“If history repeats itself from 2015, tomorrow (Tuesday) we anticipate extremely long lines. As I have stated in the past, I do believe our local races are extremely important,” Gallegos said.
The elections office located in the McKean County Courthouse is open until 4:30 p.m. today, according to the county’s website.
Elsewhere across the four-county region, as of Monday Elk County had 108 petitions, and there has been high interest in such positions as Highland Township Supervisor and tax collectors for Fox and Jay townships, said Elk County Elections and Voter Registration Director Kim Frey.
“I would imagine tomorrow (today) we’ll probably be inundated with petitions,” Frey said.
The deadline to file a petition in Elk County is 4 p.m. today. Frey said she figures Elk County is on track with the number of petitions being filed compared to in previous years with a heavy municipal election.
In neighboring Potter County, about 107 petitions have been filed thus far, according to Elections/Voter Registration Director Sandra Lewis.
Among the contested races in Potter County include those for district justice as well as Genesee Township Supervisor and tax collector.
Individuals have until 4:30 p.m. today to turn their petitions into Potter County’s elections office.
Election information for Cameron County was not immediately available at press time, but the county’s election office closes at 4 p.m. today, according to that county’s website.
Looking ahead to the general election, the first day to circulate and file nominating papers for a minor party or as an independent candidate is Wednesday, and those petitions have been to be turned in by Aug. 1.
Only Republicans and Democrats are able to run in the primary election. Pennsylvania has a closed primary, meaning only those registered as a Republican can cast a ballot for a candidate of that party. The same holds true for Democrats.
