Secretary of State
Independent Candidates and Special Election Candidates Face Deadline

(Frankfort, KY)  Candidates for office who want to fill non-partisan vacancies, or who want to run as an independent candidate for partisan offices, are facing a deadline of August 12, 2008 to have their filing papers and fees to the Office of the Secretary of State.  Candidates must file for the office with the Secretary of State no later than 4:00 p.m., EDT, for placement on the 2008 general election ballot.

            “I would encourage all interested and eligible citizens to get their required paperwork into our office as soon as possible if they are interested in running for one of these offices,” noted Grayson.

The Office of the Secretary of State has received notification from the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court of vacancies in office in the following judicial circuits:

Supreme Court Justice –Third Supreme Court District
Vacancy effective: June 27, 2008
Counties affected:  Adair, Bell, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Garrard, Green, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Lincoln, Marion, McCreary, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Taylor, Washington, Wayne, and Whitley
(Vacancy occurred by the Retirement of Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert)

Circuit Judge – 6th Judicial Circuit, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 2, 2008

   Counties affected: Daviess

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Thomas O. Castlen)

Circuit Judge – Family Court 18th Judicial Circuit, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 1, 2008

   Counties affected: Harrison, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of David E. Melcher)

Circuit Judge – 22nd Judicial Circuit, Division 7

   Vacancy effective: June 2, 2008

   Counties affected: Fayette

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Sheila R. Isaac)

Circuit Judge – 25th Judicial Circuit, Division 1

   Vacancy effective: June 27, 2008 4:30 p.m. ET

   Counties affected: Clark and Madison

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Julia Hylton Adams)

Circuit Judge – 25th Judicial Circuit, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 30, 2008

   Counties affected: Clark and Madison 12:00 p.m. ET

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of William T. Jennings)

Circuit Judge – 27th Judicial Circuit, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 30, 2008 4:00 p.m. ET

   Counties affected: Knox and Laurel

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Roderick Messer)

Circuit Judge – 30th Judicial Circuit, Division 10

   Vacancy effective: April 21, 2008

   Counties affected: Jefferson

   (Vacancy occurred by the death of Kathleen Voor Montano)

District Judge – 22nd Judicial District, Division 4

   Vacancy effective: June 1, 2008

   Counties affected: Fayette

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of David F. Hayse)

District Judge – 30th Judicial District, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 2, 2008

   Counties affected: Jefferson

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Kevin W. Delahanty)

District Judge – 30th Judicial District, Division 8

   Vacancy effective: June 3, 2008

   Counties affected: Jefferson

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Deborah J. Deweese)

 District Judge – 48th Judicial District, Division 2
   Vacancy effective: June 30, 2008
   Counties affected:  Franklin
   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of William Guy Hart)

District Judge – 51st Judicial District, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 2, 2008

   Counties affected: Henderson

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Kenton J. Watson)

District Judge – 55th Judicial District, Division 2

   Vacancy effective: June 30, 2008

   Counties affected: Bullitt

   (Vacancy occurred by the resignation of Bailey Taylor)

              The Office of the Secretary of State can also accept nomination papers until the August 12, 2008 deadline for independent candidates who properly filed their statement of candidacy with the Office before April 1, 2008.  Independent candidates for federal offices are not required to file a statement of candidacy.    The deadline for candidates for President and Vice President of the United States is September 5, 2008.

            There may also be special elections for positions that file with the local county clerk.  Please contact your local county clerk to see if any positions will be on the ballot for the November 4, 2008 general election.

            “Our office stands ready to help any potential candidate with questions he or she may have, and we hope to see continued interest in these positions,” remarked Secretary Grayson.

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