Candidate petition window opening

The window to file nominating petitions for local government office will open in less than three weeks, on March 3, and close 11 days later, at 5 p.m. on March 14.

First District county commissioner Bud Corbus will complete his first two-year term at the end of this year. His position is up for election and under the staggered series of terms of office for commissioners, the next election for the First District seat will be for a four-year term.

Wes Wootan of Glenns Ferry is completing his first four-year term as Second District county commissioner. Under the staggered series of terms of office, the next election for the Second District seat will be for a two-year term.

Elmore County Clerk Barbara Steele is up for re-election, as is Treasurer Rose Plympton, Assessor Ron Fisher and Coroner Jerry Rost. All those positions are for four-year terms.

All the county offices require five valid registered voters on the candidates' nominating petitions.

All Republican and Democratic precinct committeemen also are up for election to two-year terms. There is no signature requirement for those positions. Candidates must simply file a declaration of candidacy with the county clerk's office.

All petitions are available at the county clerk's office in the courthouse, where they must be filed by the deadline.

March 14 also is the final day for voters currently registered to a particular party to change party affiliation (or adopt an affiliation) or become "unaffiliated" by filing a signed form with the county clerk.

A statement of affiliation is required in the May 20 primary for Republican voters. Under party rules, only declared Republicans are allowed to vote on the Republican primary ballot.

Democrats do not have such a restriction on their primary ballot.

Declaration of intentions to file as a write-in candidate in any county, state or federal election is April 22.

For U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Risch is running for re-election to a six-year term.

Partisan candidates for the U.S. Senate must file a declaration of candidacy accompanied by a $500 filing fee.

In lieu of the filing fee, candidates may also submit a petition containing the signatures of 1,000 registered voters. Independent candidates must file a declaration of candidacy and a petition containing the signatures of 1,000 registered voters -- they may not elect to pay the filing fee, instead.

Write-in candidates must file a declaration of intent. They may participate in either the primary or general election. However, for a write-in candidate to be nominated in a U.S. Senate primary, they must garner at least 1,000 votes. If the candidate wins the nomination, they must pay the filing fee in order to appear on the general election ballot.

In the Second Congressional District, which includes Elmore County, incumbent congressman Mike Simpson is already facing a primary challenge from Bryan Smith.

Partisan candidates for the U.S. House must file a declaration of candidacy accompanied by a $300 filing fee. In lieu of the filing fee, candidates may also submit a petition containing the signatures of 500 voters registered in the district. Independent candidates must file a declaration of candidacy and a petition containing the signatures of 500 voters registered in the district -- they may not elect to pay the filing fee.

Write-in candidates must file a declaration of intent. They may participate in either the primary or general election. However, for a write-in candidate to be nominated in a U.S. House primary, they must garner at least 500 votes. If the candidate wins the nomination, they must pay the filing fee in order to appear on the general election ballot

For write-in candidates who participated in the primary and who must pay a filing fee for access to the general election ballot, the filing deadline is June 13, 2014. For all other write-in candidates just seeking access to the general election ballot, the filing deadline is Oct. 7.

Partisan candidates for statewide office must file a declaration of candidacy accompanied by a $200 filing fee ($300 for gubernatorial candidates).

In lieu of the filing fee, candidates may also submit a petition containing the signatures of 1,000 registered voters. Independent candidates must file a declaration of candidacy and a petition containing the signatures of 1,000 registered voters -- they may not elect to pay the filing fee.

Write-in candidates must file a declaration of intent. They may participate in either the primary or general election. However, for a write-in candidate to be nominated in a statewide primary, they must garner at least 1,000 votes. If the candidate wins the nomination, they must pay the filing fee in order to appear on the general election ballot.

Partisan candidates for the legislature must file a declaration of candidacy accompanied by a $30 filing fee. In lieu of the filing fee, candidates may also submit a petition containing the signatures of 50 voters registered in the district.

Independent candidates for the legislature must file a declaration of candidacy and a petition containing the signatures of 50 voters registered in the district -- they may not elect to pay the filing fee.