Candidates for this year's election can make announcements of their candidacy, but cannot formally file for a petition until July 9, John Abramson, supervisor of elections, said Friday.
"A public announcement is not a formal filing," he said.
On July 9, candidates for district offices can get their petitions and begin collecting signatures. For a candidate running for a party office, 25 signatures are required. An independent candidate must get 50 signatures, Abramson said.
Candidates have from noon Aug. 1 until 5 p.m. Aug. 8 to file the petitions.
Asked how many candidates he expected to file, Abramson laughed. "I have no idea," he said. "We really don't speculate until 5 p.m. on Aug. 8."
Earlier this week, American Federation of Teachers President Glen Smith announced his candidacy for a seat on the 24th Legislature, according to media reports. This was the first senatorial announcement.
