Although the pushed back 2020 primary election is still several weeks away–June 23, the deadline for non-partisan candidates in the upcoming election is less than three weeks away.

As the deadline to file as a non-partisan candidate nears, there seems to be very little interest to this point, as of Friday, May 8, and still only one person had filed for office.

The deadline to file as a non-partisan candidate, with names not on the ballot until the November general election, is still set for Tuesday, June 2, at 4 p.m. local time.

To date, only one incumbent school board member has actually filed an official petition to be on the ballot, although some other persons have picked up nomination forms, according to the county clerk’s office.

Only a hand full of non-partisan races will be on the ballot this year. They include school board races in districts two, three and four; three Soil Conservation District seats; and all six seats that make up the Albany City Council.

Persons that are not currently registered to vote are reminded that the deadline to register to vote in this year’s primary election is Tuesday, May 26.

Also, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, election and other state officials are urging voters to use mail-in ballots, which can now be requested at the county clerk’s office.

Walk-in voting by appointment only will begin on June 8.

The only place that will be open for in-person voting on election day will be at the Clinton County Courthouse, as no precinct polling place will be open.

The NEWS will continue weekly updates on non-partisan candidate filings and/or other pertinent election information over the coming weeks.

For information on the election process for the upcoming primary, call the Clinton County Clerk’s Office at 387-5943.