(Frankfort, KY)  Candidates who want to be eligible to have their votes counted as a write-in candidate for the upcoming election have until October 26, 2007 to file with the appropriate filing officer. 

 “As we head into the homestretch of the 2007 election cycle, I want to encourage those individuals who are considering running as a write-in candidate to file to run as soon as possible,” stated Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

Candidates who must file with the Secretary of State have until 4:00 p.m. EDT to file their papers, while candidates for offices that file with the local county clerk will have until 4:00 p.m. local time to complete their filings. If candidates choose to mail their filing papers, the documents must still be received in the appropriate office by 4:00 p.m. on the 26th, and thus, candidates are asked to plan accordingly.

The following offices must file with the Office of the Secretary of State:

Governor/Lt. Governor Slate
Secretary of State

Attorney General

Auditor of Public Accounts

State Treasurer

Commissioner of Agriculture

Judge of the Court of Appeals (Unexpired Term)

Circuit Judge (Unexpired Term)

District Judge (Unexpired Term)

In order to help the thousands of candidates, both new and old, seeking political office, the Office of the Secretary of State has developed a ballot access procedural manual titled: Declaring Your Candidacy.  Kentuckians now have a quick guide to filing for political office.

Although the publication focuses primarily on candidate filing procedures, sample forms for attaining ballot access, and qualifications for each elective office, it also includes other important and pertinent election information that may affect candidates.  The manual contains an election schedule, sample filing forms of various types, contact information for state election agencies, and answers to candidates’ most frequently asked questions.

“Candidates would be wise to file prior to the deadline date and time in the event their documents are not acceptable for filing,” stated Mary Sue Helm, election administrator for the Secretary of State.  “There is no opportunity for correction of documents after that date and time.”

For more information about filing to run for elected office in Kentucky, to obtain a copy of Declaring Your Candidacy, or to view a list of candidates who have filed for office, please visit www.sos.ky.gov/elections.

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