Kentucky: Secretary of State

(Frankfort, KY) Time is running out for potential candidates to place their name on the ballot for the 2010 primary elections. Primary candidates, including political party candidates and candidates for non-partisan races that file with the Secretary of State, have until January 26, 2010 to file for office.

“We are one week away from the deadline,” said Secretary of State Trey Grayson, the Commonwealth’s chief election officer. “Our office’s election staff is already extremely busy, and we anticipate that filings will continue up until the last minute.”

Candidates for offices that file with the Office of the Secretary of State may file their papers with the office until 4:00 p.m. EST on January 26^th. Candidates who file with the county clerk may file until 4:00 p.m. local time. If candidates choose to mail their filing papers, the documents must still be received by 4:00 p.m. on the 26^th, and thus, candidates are asked to plan accordingly.

Offices that file with the Secretary of State that are regularly scheduled to occur in 2010 include:

• United States Senator

• United States Representative

• State Senator (Even Districts)

• State Representative

• Justice of the Supreme Court, District 3

• District Judge

• County Judge/Executive

• County Attorney

• County Clerk

• Property Valuation Administrator

• Sheriff

• Jailer

• County Commissioner

• Coroner

• Magistrate/Justice of the Peace

• Constable

• Surveyor

• Mayor

• City Legislative Body

• Board of Education (School Board)

• Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors

In order to help candidates seeking political office, the Office of the Secretary of State developed a ballot access procedural manual titled: Declaring Your Candidacy. This manual has been updated for this election cycle and provides Kentuckians with 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.

For the first time, citizens who are interested in running for an office that files with the Secretary of State will be able to obtain the proper filing papers online, twenty-four hours a day, via FastTrack Elections. These forms can be printed out and submitted either by hand delivery or by mail. The forms will have detailed instructions to help the candidate fill out the forms properly. The application will also provide sample forms for offices that file with the county clerk.

There will also be additional races this year to fill unexpired terms. Currently, the following offices that file with the Secretary of State will appear on the ballot in order to fill unexpired terms:

Circuit Judge-11^th Judicial Circuit, 1^st Division (Counties: Green, Marion, Taylor & Washington)

Circuit Judge-“Family Court”, 17^th Judicial Circuit, 3^rd Division (County: Campbell)

Circuit Judge-18^th Judicial Circuit, 1^st Division (Counties: Harrison, Nicholas, Pendleton & Robertson)

Circuit Judge-21^st Judicial Circuit, 1^st Division (Counties: Bath, Menifee, Montgomery & Rowan)

Circuit Judge-“Family Court” 25^th Judicial Circuit, 3^rd Division (Counties: Clark & Madison)

Circuit Judge-“Family Court” 31^st Judicial Circuit, 3^rd Division (County: Floyd)

Circuit Judge-“Family Court” 37^th Judicial Circuit, 2^nd Division (Counties: Carter, Elliott & Morgan)

Circuit Judge-“Family Court”, 48^th Judicial Circuit, 3^rd Division (County: Franklin)

Commonwealth Attorney-18^th Judicial Circuit (Counties: Harrison, Nicholas, Pendleton & Robertson)

Commonwealth Attorney-37^th Judicial Circuit (Counties: Carter, Elliott, & Morgan)

Commonwealth Attorney-42^nd Judicial Circuit (Counties: Calloway & Marshall)

Commonwealth Attorney-46^th Judicial Circuit (Counties: Breckinridge, Grayson & Meade)

“Candidates would be wise to file prior to the final deadline, 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, access FastTrack Elections, or to view a list of candidates, please visit www.sos.ky.gov/elections.