There’s just over two months left for candidates to file their paperwork and be included on the ballot for the 2010 elections.

With the filing through Monday afternoon, there are only a handful of contested races.

Several of the most recent candidates who have filed are seeking the position of magistrate.

In District 4 Drexel W. Johnson and Ranny Adler, both of Lewisburg have filed to run. Incumbent Loyd Houchens has not yet declared for reelection.

Incumbents Clem “Dickie” Carter (District 1) Curtis Watkins (District 3) and Jo Orange (District 5) have also filed in recent days. Jack Crossley has also filed to run for District 2 magistrate as a Democrat.

Other incumbents to recently file include PVA Ben Brown and Coroner Mary Givens.

Other races that have been previously reported as contested include county Judge/Executive with Logan Chick and Barry Dill both on the ballot as Democrats; Bill Jenkins and James “Sonny” Duncan both on the ballot as Democrats for jailer; and Democrat Tom Noe and Republican Corey Hall running for Logan County Attorney.

Only two have filed in the nonpartisan races for city government. Current councilman Doug Nash is running for mayor of Russellville while Joe Laird is once again seeking a spot on the Russellville city council.

No one has yet filed to run for city council in Auburn, Adairville or Lewisburg. Also, no mayoral candidates have filed for Lewisburg.

The process will remain open through January 26th at 4 p.m.

Candidates will either appear on the May 18, 2010 primary or November 2, 2010 general election ballots.

Next year will be a busy election year as several big races will be on the ballot – including judge/executive, sheriff, the mayor for Russellville and the State Representative for District 16, which includes both Todd and Logan counties.

Other races that will appear include county clerk, jailer, coroner, magistrate in all districts, constable in all districts, county surveyor, the mayor for Lewisburg and the city councils in Russellville, Lewisburg, Auburn and Adairville.

All candidates for local office can apply at the Logan County clerk’s office. Anyone wishing to run for state representative must file with the Office of the Secretary of State.

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.