Primary Intentions

While the recent Iowa caucus has the political world buzzing about this year's Presidential race, the competition for offices in Clay County will begin to take shape in only a few days.

Beginning Wednesday (Jan. 11), residents will have the opportunity to throw their hat into the ring for several county spots, including Judge, Commissioner and County Council (A full list of available positions will be at the end of this blog).

Declarations of candidacy will be accepted until noon, Friday, Feb. 10, for those in a major party (Republican or Democrat) in preparation for the Primary Election, which will take place Tuesday, May 8.

Those seeking a federal or state position, as well as Judge of either the Clay County Superior or Circuit courts, must file their declarations with the Indiana Election Division, while prospective candidates for county, local and school board seats must file with the Clay County Election Office, located on the second floor of the Clay County Courthouse.

In addition, if an individual files to be a candidate then changes their mind, they have until noon, Monday, Feb. 13, to withdraw their name from the ballot.

Along with filing a declaration of candidacy, the majority of those seeking office will also have to open a campaign finance committee and report their respective contributions and expenditures at various points throughout the year, regardless of any funding is collected or spent.

However, there are a few exceptions, which include:

* Candidates for local offices in which the annual compensation is less than $5,000, and who do not receive more than $500 in contributions or spend more than $500 campaigning for the office,

* Candidates for school board offices, unless the candidate receives more than $500 in contributions or spend more than $500 campaigning, and

* Candidates running for precinct committeeman or delegate to a state convention.

All other candidates must file campaign finance reports, the first of which is due no later than noon, Friday, April 20, for the reporting period of Jan. 1-April 13, 2012.

Minor party and independent prospective candidates may file a petition of nomination with the Clay County Election Office between Wednesday and noon, Monday, July 2, for the verification of signatures, and have until noon, Monday, July 16 to file a declaration of candidacy for the 2012 General Election (Tuesday, Nov. 6), as long as the verification of petition signatures has been completed.

Prospective candidates for school board positions must file their respective petitions of nomination and consent between Wednesday, July 25, and noon, Friday, Aug. 24, for potential placement on the 2012 General Election ballot.

The voter registration period is currently open and prospective voters wanting to register for the first time, or update their address, may submit an application to the Clay County Election Office through Monday, April 9. This may be done at the Election Office, upon the renewal of a driver's license at a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles or online at www.IndianaVoters.com.

In addition, those who do not believe they will be able to make it to the polls on Election Day may also submit an application for an absentee ballot.

Both the voter registration and absentee voter applications are available in the Election Office, or online at http://www.claycountyin.gov/index.pl?id=..., under the "Election Office" header.

A list of individuals who have filed a declaration of candidacy will also appear on this site beginning the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 13, and be updated each subsequent Friday afternoon until the end of the filing period.

---

2012 ELECTION RACES IN CLAY COUNTY

Federal

President of the United States

U.S. Representative -- District 8

U.S. Senator

State

Governor

Attorney General

Superintendent of Public Instruction

State Representative -- District 42

State Representative -- District 44

State Representative -- District 46

Local (County)

Judge -- Superior Court (six-year term)

Judge -- Circuit Court (six-year term)

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Surveyor

Recorder

Coroner

Commissioner -- District 1

Commissioner -- District 2

County Council -- At-Large (three positions)

Clay Community Schools, Board of School Trustees, District 1

Clay Community Schools, Board of School Trustees, District 2

Clay Community Schools, Board of School Trustees, District 3

Clay Community Schools, Board of School Trustees, District 4

State Convention Delegates -- 9 apiece (Republican and Democrat)

Precinct Committeemen -- 23 (Republican only)