Interested in running for local public office this year? Next week is a critical step in making that happen, if so.

Candidate filing week for the 2025 election begins next Monday, May 5, and continues through Friday, May 9. There are a host of local elected positions across south Pacific County that will be on the ballot this fall, including for mayor, city council, school and hospital board, and fire and port commissions among others.

To file to run online beginning the morning of May 5, visit https://tinyurl.com/4sjrxb66. Note that some of the positions up for election, such as for city council and port commission, require a filing fee.

For information about the filing process and local elections, visit https://tinyurl.com/3kr25trd. Candidate filing forms can be found at https://bit.ly/3B7lp2c.

The Observer will have a recap of filing week and which local candidates are running for office in its May 14 issue.