Filings for county, state, federal offices begins Wednesday

The three-day filing period opens Wednesday for candidates in Oklahoma who are seeking federal, state and county offices.

This will be a busy year for elections, because those candidates also share the ballot for those who are seeking to be president of the United States. The filing period is set Wednesday through Friday, with candidates for state and federal offices filing at the Oklahoma State Election Board in Oklahoma City, and county candidates filing with their county election boards. Election boards are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

County offices include the central district commissioner (Office 2), county clerk, court clerk and county sheriff. In Comanche County, Central District Commissioner Johnny Owens, County Clerk Carrie Tubbs and Court Clerk Robert Morales have all said they plan to seek re-election. Comanche County Sheriff Kenny Stradley has said he will not seek re-election, ending a tenure that dates to 1989.

At the state level, offices will include the Oklahoma Corporation Commission seat held by Bob Anthony. In addition, all Oklahoma state representatives are up for re-election for new two-year terms, while senators holding odd-numbered districts are up, including the District 31 seat held by Chris Kidd, R-Waurika.

At the federal level, voters will be looking at all five U.S. congressional seats, now held by Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole, Third District Congressman Frank Lucas, First District Congressman Kevin Hern, Second District Congressman Josh Brecheen and Third District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice. All five are Republicans.

In most instances, criteria to file for office includes a requirement that candidates must registered voters and live in the area they seek to represent for at least six months prior to filing for office. In addition, candidates may not have been adjudicated of a felony, and not have been adjudicated of a misdemeanor involving embezzlement. Candidates for county sheriff must be at least age 25, hold at least a high school education, and served as a duly certified peace officer in a fulltime capacity for at least four years prior to filing.

Filing fees are: U.S. senator, $2,000; U.S. House and Corporation Commissioner, $1,000; Oklahoma Senate, $750; Oklahoma House, $500; and county offices, $300.

Candidates may file in person or by mail, or may send an agent to file on their behalf, under state law. Specific information is available in candidate filing packets available through the Oklahoma State Election Board, oklahoma.gov/elections.html.

Information is available at any county election board, including the Comanche County Election Board, located in the Comanche County Courthouse at Southwest 5th and C in Lawton and open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Information also is available at the Oklahoma State Election Board, located in Room G28 of the State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City; or [email protected] or (405) 521-2391.

The primary election is June 18, with the runoff election set for Aug. 27. The general election is Nov. 5.