Jan 23, 2011 By Herald Standard Staff 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County residents interested in running for county, municipal or school district office this year are being asked to attend an informational meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7. The candidates’ informational meeting will be held in the first-floor meeting room of the Greene County Office Building, 93 E. High St., Waynesburg. Organized by the Greene County elections office, the meeting will address the proper procedures for completing nominating petitions, Election Day conduct and any other relevant topics. Petitions will be available for pick up in the elections office starting Feb. 7 and will be handed out at the candidates’ meeting.

Offices on this year’s ballot include the following county row offices: commissioners, clerk of courts, controller, district attorney, prothonotary, register and recorder of deeds, treasurer and magisterial district judges 13-3-01 and 13-3-02. All offices are four-year terms, except the district judges, which are six-year terms. The Greene County Court of Common Pleas judge’s office currently held by Judge Farley Toothman will also be on the ballot. Toothman was appointed in 2009 to the position after the retirement of Judge H. Terry Grimes. The office will be a 10-year term.

Township, borough and school district offices include supervisors, council members, auditors and school directors within each respective municipality and school district. A complete listing of the offices available will be publicized at a later date.

The primary election will be held May 17, and the general election will be held Nov. 8.

Although March 8 is the last legal day to circulate and file nominating petitions, candidates are encouraged to file earlier to allow time to correct any mistakes made in the process, said Frances Pratt, director of elections. In addition to collecting signatures, candidates must have the affidavits on the back of the petition notarized before filing.

The elections office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Completed petitions must be filed by 4:30 p.m. March 8.

Ballot positions for the primary election will be determined during the casting of lots starting at 10 a.m. March 16 in the elections office.

Candidates must draw in person or have a designated agent draw for them. If a candidate or designated agent is not present to draw, the Board of Elections will appoint someone to represent that candidate.

April 18 is the deadline to register to vote in the primary, while Oct. 11 is the deadline to register to vote in the general election. County voters who have changed their names or addresses need to notify the elections office of any changes prior to the registration deadlines. Voters are also reminded that they cannot use a post office box as their address.

Anyone interested in attending the candidates’ informational meeting should register in order to assure the availability of a packet. To register, or for more information, call the elections office at 724-852-5230.