There’s only about a month left for candidates to file to run for political office – and there are still only a handful of citizens already registered to run for office.

As of Monday, only 25 people have registered with the Logan County Clerk to run for local office.

Two races now have more than two candidates registered.

They are for District 4 Magistrate and Logan County Jailer.

James K. Penrod, of Lewisburg, recently registered to run for jailer. Incumbent Bill Jenkins and challenger James T. “Sonny” Duncan had already previously filed. All three will be running as Democrats.

District 4 is currently held by Loyd Houchens, but he has not filed to run. Two Democrats – Drexel W. Johnson and Ranny Adler – both filed last month. The most recent addition is Tim Norris, who will be vying for the position as a Republican.

All four Logan County city councils will be on the ballot – but so far only one person had registered. Joe Laird filed to run for Russellville city council on Nov. 9 and so far no one else has come forward. Auburn, Adairville and Lewisburg will also be selecting their city councils. Each city has six council members.

Lewisburg and Russellville will also be choosing mayors. No one has filed yet for Lewisburg, but current councilman Doug Nash has filed for Russellville mayor.

Other contested races include:

Logan County Attorney: incumbent Tom Noe (D) and Corey Morgan (R)

Logan County Judge Executive: incumbent Logan Chick (D) and Barry Dill (D)

District 2 Magistrate: incumbent Harold Prince (D) and Jack Crossley (D)

There are several offices that so far have only one person registered to run. Those include:

Logan County Clerk: Scottie Harper (D)

Logan County Sheriff: Wallace E Whittaker (D)

District 1 Magistrate: Clem “Dickie” Carter (D)

District 3 Magistrate: Curtis Watkins (D)

District 5 Magistrate: Jo Orange (R)

District 6 Magistrate: Thomas P. Bouldin (D)

Coroner: Mary L. Givens (D)

PVA: Thomas Ben Brown (D)

Those wishing to run state office have to file with the Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort.

Locally, those offices include state district 14 representative and District 7 Judge.

no one has yet filed to run for the state representative seat held by Martha Jane King, but the district judge’s race will be contested.

Incumbent Sue Carrol Browning will be challenged by Kenneth R. Williams, Jr., of Lewisburg.

The filing 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.

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.