Secretary of State
And You Thought Elections were Over for a While! Not exactly – Filing for 2008 Races Begins

(Frankfort, KY) – Although many Kentuckians may have thought that the election season ended with yesterday’s election, a new cycle officially begins today.  Potential candidates seeking an office on the 2008 ballot may now begin filing with the Office of the Secretary of State. Candidates will either appear on the May 20, 2008 primary or November 4, 2008 general election ballots.

“This election cycle should be exciting in Kentucky with so many high profile races on the ballot,” stated Secretary of State Trey Grayson.  “Hopefully, many citizens will give serious consideration to becoming candidates for one of the many races on the ballot in 2008.”

Republican and Democratic candidates have until January 29, 2008 to file for office.  Independent or political group candidates, excluding federal offices, must file a statement of intent by April 1,2008 but have until August 12, 2008, excluding the Office of President, to file their petitions. Candidates for President & Vice President must file their 

petitions and certificate of nomination for electors by no later than September 5, 2008.  Each of the filing dates includes a 4:00 p.m. filing deadline.

Offices that file with the Secretary of State that are regularly scheduled to occur in 2008 include:

President and Vice-President of the United States

United States Senator

United States House of Representatives

Kentucky State Senate (Odd Districts)

Kentucky State House

Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court (District 5)

           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.

There will also be additional races this year to fill un-expired terms.  Three judicial vacancies exist at this time and will also face the January 29, 2008 filing deadline:

Kentucky Supreme Court Justice (District 4)
Court of Appeals (4^th Appellate District, Division 2)
Circuit Judge (30^th Judicial Circuit, Division 4).

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, please visit www.sos.ky.gov/elections.

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