Legal offices highlight 2014 county elections

Coming off of a year in which no Putnam County voters were asked to darken the doors of their precinct polling places, county politics will be back at the center of civic discussion in 2014.

A dozen county government offices will be up for grabs in the 2014 election, with three legal positions -- superior court judge, prosecutor and sheriff -- likely to take center stage.

The 2014 primary election is set for Tuesday, May 6 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

While past elections have shown superior court judge, prosecutor and sheriff to be among the more sought after offices in county government, nine other positions will be up for grabs in the county.

Among courthouse offices, clerk of the circuit court, county recorder, county assessor and county surveyor will also be on the ballot.

Putnam County Commissioner District 2 seat occupied by Max Watts is also up for election.

It is also an important year for the Putnam County Council, with a majority of the board, districts 1 through 4, all up for grabs. There is sure to be some shuffling in these offices, as redistricting leaves at least two current councilmen, Darrel Thomas and Roger Deck, in the same district for the upcoming cycle.

In state offices of local interest, State Senate District 24 (Pete Miller) and District 37 (Rod Bray), along with State Representative District 44 (Jim Baird), will all be on the docket.

In other state offices, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer will all be on the ballot.

The first day for candidates to file a declaration of candidacy in the primary election will be Wednesday, Jan. 8. From that date, potential candidates will have until noon on Friday, Feb. 7 to file.

Additional election information, such as other positions on the ballot (including school boards), absentee voting information, further deadlines, polling places and specific candidates will be reported at later dates.