For prospective candidates, the next 10 days is the time to put up or shut up.
Filing for elective office begins today at the secretary of state's offices in Reno and Las Vegas, as well as county clerks' offices across the state. It closes 5 p.m. May 12.
Two Republican gubernatorial candidates and one Democratic Senate candidate have appointments this morning to formally file their paperwork.
But if tradition holds, the first candidate through the secretary of state's door will be Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, who has announced he will seek a 15th two-year term representing District 32. Marvel, third in legislative seniority behind Reno Sen. Bill Raggio and Elko Sen. Dean Rhoads, is nearly always first to file.
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt will file for governor in the Las Vegas office at 9:30 a.m. and Rep. Jim Gibbons will file in the Carson City office at 11 a.m.
Neither the third Republican in that race, Bob Beers, nor the Democrats - Dina Titus, Jim Gibson and Barbara Scott - have announced when they will file.
Jack Carter, the Democrat seeking to unseat first-term U.S. GOP Sen. John Ensign, will file his papers at the Las Vegas office at 9:30 a.m. today. Ensign hasn't yet announced his plans.
Two of the three congressional seats promise to be strongly contested. The seat vacated by Gibbons is being sought by three Republicans including Gibbons' wife, Dawn, and a Democrat.
Outgoing Secretary of State Dean Heller is considered to have the early lead, challenged by Dawn Gibbons and anti-tax activist Sharron Angle, who left her Assembly seat to run. Outgoing Regent Jill Derby is the lone Democrat in the race.
Heller may join the list of those filing today. The others haven't announced when they will file.
Democrat Tessa Hafen, former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, is challenging Republican incumbent Jon Porter for his congressional position. With lifelong ties to Southern Nevada politics, she is expected to be a strong contender.
Shelley Berkley, the third incumbent, is hoping to avoid a tough contest for re-election.
All five Nevada constitutional offices are open this year, with four barred by term limits from staying in their current posts.
The attorney general's post is open, since George Chanos has decided not to run. After he pulled out, and State Sen. Mark Amodei decided to seek a third term instead of running for attorney general, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto is, so far, unopposed in the race. She plans to formally file Thursday in Carson City.
But former District Judge Don Chairez, a Republican, is reportedly considering the race.
Treasurer Brian Krolicki is trying to move to the lieutenant governor's office. Businessman Bob Unger of Las Vegas is the announced Democratic challenger.
Impeached Controller Kathy Augustine is considering a run for treasurer, but will have primary opposition from Mark DeStefano. Democrat Kate Marshall will file for the post this week, while Kim Wallin will run for Augustine's seat, facing Republican Steve Martin.
The secretary of state race has drawn three aggressive candidates: Democrat Ross Miller, son of former governor Bob Miller; and Republicans Brian Scroggins, a businessman, and Danny Tarkanian, son of former University of Nevada, Las Vegas coach Jerry Tarkanian.
All 42 of Nevada's Assembly seats and 11 of the 21 Senate seats are open, with most incumbents seeking re-election. But several notable changes are in the works with Angle, Democrat Chris Giunchigliani and Republicans Bob Seale and Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick definitely not running again.
Democrat Joetta Brown is running for Hettrick's post representing Douglas, west Carson City and the Tahoe Basin portions of Washoe County.
Republican John Wagner is challenging Democrat Bonnie Parnell for Carson City's District 40 seat. Wagner will file today.
In the State Senate, nearly all incumbents are running. Democrats are hoping to turn the majority their way, since six of the 11 open seats are Republican. But most of those members have a pretty firm grip on their respective districts.
A possible exception may be Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, who is facing an ethics probe accusing her of using her office to secure business for her private company. She has denied any wrongdoing, but her future may depend on the timing of those proceedings as much as the outcome.
In addition, there are three seats on the Nevada Supreme Court on the ballot, five on the Board of Regents and four on the State Board of Education.
Retiring Chief Justice Bob Rose's seat will be open. Clark County District Judge Don Cherry has announced his candidacy. Justice Nancy Becker has a challenger in Clark County District Judge Nancy Saita.
Derby's western Nevada seat on the university regents board is open since she is running for Congress. No one has yet formally announced a run for that seat.
All candidates for statewide office must file their paperwork with the secretary of state's offices in either Carson City or Las Vegas. The same is true of regent, Board of Education and legislative candidates whose districts cross county lines. Candidates whose districts are completely within one county must file with their county clerks or elections officers.
• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.
Today
Filing for office opens for candidates, minor parties and independent candidates
May 12
Filing closes and last day county clerks can receive primary-election questions from local governing boards
May 16
Last day to submit referendum signatures to county clerks for statutes or resolutions to go on ballot
May 22
First financial disclosure statements must be submitted by all candidates for offices paid $6,000 or more a year
June 16
First day campaign signs can legally go up
June 20
Deadline to submit constitutional amendment initiatives to county clerks for signature verification
July 10
Deadline for clerks to file verified referendum petitions with the state.
July 17
Deadline for local governing bodies to submit general-election questions to clerks
July 25
Close of registration for primary election
July 29-Aug. 11
Early voting for primary
Aug. 8
Deadline for first report of campaign contributions and expenditures by all candidates
Aug. 9
Deadline for clerks to file verified signatures for initiative petitions amending the constitution with the Secretary of State
Aug. 15
Primary election
Oct. 17
Close of registration for general election
Oct. 21-Nov. 3
Early voting for general
Oct. 31
Deadline for second report of campaign contributions and expenditures
Nov. 7
General election
Nov. 14
Deadline to file statutory initiative petitions with clerks
Nov. 28
Supreme Court canvass of votes
Jan. 15
Deadline for third and final report of campaign contributions and expenditures
Open this election season
State
Nevada's federal seats and open offices
U.S. Senate
six-year term, one seat
U.S. Congressional representatives
two-year term, three seats
• Congressional District 1, portion of Clark County
• Congressional District 2, portion of Clark County and remainder of the state
• Congressional District 3, portion of Clark County
Nevada constitutional offices
Governor
Lieutenant governor
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Controller
Attorney general
Justice of the Supreme Court
six-year term, three seats
seat C, seat F, seat G
State Senate
four-year term
• Clark County Districts 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12
• Capital Senatorial District, portion of Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties
• Washoe County Districts 1, 2 and 4* (* portions of Carson City and Washoe County)
Assembly
two-year term
• Clark County Districts 1-23, 28, 29, 34, 37, 41 and 42
• Washoe County Districts 24-27, 30 and 31
• Multi-county
District 32, portions of Humboldt, Lander and Washoe counties
District 33, Elko County and a portion of Humboldt County
District 35, Eureka, Pershing and White Pine counties and portions of Churchill, Humboldt, Lander and Washoe counties
District 36, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Mineral, and Nye counties and a portion of Churchill County
District 38, Lyon and Storey counties and portions of Carson City and Churchill County
District 39, Douglas County and portions of Carson City and Washoe County
District 40, portions of Carson City and Washoe County
District Court judge
Un-expired two-year term
• District 2 (Washoe County) departments 2, 7 and 9
• District 3 (Churchill and Lyon County) department 2
• District 8 (Clark County) departments 3 and 16
District Court judge
initial 2-year term
• District 8 (Clark County) departments 22, 23, and 24
• District 8 Family Division (Clark County) department M
University Board of Regents
6-year term
• Districts 1, 4, and 12 (Clark County)
• District 9 (Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey counties and a portion of Washoe County)
University Board of Regents
Un-expired four-year term
• District 6 (Clark County)
State Board of Education
four-year term
• Districts 2, 5 and 6 (Clark County)
• District 10 (Humboldt, Pershing, Elko, Lander, Eureka, Churchill, Nye, Storey, Lyon, Mineral, Esmeralda, White Pine and Lincoln counties and a portion of Washoe County)
State Board of Education
Un-expired two-year term
• District 4 (Clark County)
Where to file
Secretary of State's Office
State Capitol
101 N. Carson St.
Carson City
Assessor, four-year term
Clerk/recorder, four-year-term
District attorney, four-year term
Treasurer, four-year term
Sheriff, four-year term
Justice of the peace, six-year term
Departments 1 and 2
Supervisor, four-year term
Wards 1, 3
School trustee, four-year term
Districts 1, 3, 4 and 6
Where to file
Elections Office
first floor of the courthouse
885 E. Musser St., Suite 1025
Lyon County
District II commissioner, 4-year term
District V commissioner, 4-year term
Assessor, 4-year term
Clerk-treasurer, 4-year term
District attorney, 4-year term
Recorder, 4-year term
Public administrator, 4-year term
Sheriff, 4-year term
Justices of the peace:
Canal Township, 6-year term
Dayton Township, 6-year term
Walker River Township, 6-year term
Lyon County School District Board of Trustees:
District II, Fernley No. 2, 4-year term
District IV, Silver Springs/Stagecoach, 4-year term
District VI, Dayton No. 2, 4-year term
Silver Springs/Stagecoach Hospital District trustees:
Silver Springs Precincts, one seat, 4-year term
Silver Springs Precincts, one seat, 2-year term
Stagecoach Precincts, one seat, 4-year term
South Lyon County Hospital District trustees:
Two sears, 4-year term
Central Lyon County Fire Protection directors:
District III, Mound House/Silver City Precincts, 4-year term
District V, Stagecoach Precincts, 4-year term
Mason Valley Fire Protection director: three seats, 4-year terms
North Lyon County Fire Protection director: two seats, 4-year terms
Smith Valley Fire Protection director: one seat, 4-year term
Stagecoach General Improvement District trustees:
Two seats serving 4-year terms
One seat serving a 2-year term
Silver Springs General Improvement District trustees:
Two seats serving 4-year terms
Two seats serving 2-year terms
Mason Valley Swimming Pool General Improvement District trustees:
Two seats, serving 4-year terms
One seat, serving a 2-year term
Offices up for election in Fernley:
Mayor, 4-year term
Councilmember, Ward 1, 4-year term
Councilmember, Ward 3, 4-year term
Where to file
Lyon County Courthouse, 26 S. Main St. in Yerington
801 Overland Loop, Suite 201, in Dayton
Storey County
Assessor, four-year term
Clerk/treasurer, four-year term
District 1 Commissioner, four-year term
District attorney, four-year term
Recorder/auditor, four-year term
Justice of the peace, six-year term
Sheriff, four-year term
Storey County School Board of Trustees:
Seat 2-A, two-year term
Seat 4-A, four-year term
Canyon General Improvement District:
Three seats, four-year term
One seat, two-year term
Industrial General Improvement District:
Seat 1-A, four-year term
Seat 1-B, four-year term
Where to file
County Courthouse, 26 S. B St., Virginia City
Douglas County
Partisan offices
Assessor, four-year term
Clerk/treasurer, four-year term
County commissioner, Districts 2 and 4, four-year term
District attorney, four-year term
Public administrator, four-year term
Recorder, four-year term
Township offices
Constable, East Fork Township, four-year term
Nonpartisan offices
Sheriff, four-year term
School board trustee
Area 1, two-year un-expired term
Areas 2, 6 and 7, four-year terms
Township offices
Justice of the peace, East Fork and Tahoe townships, six-year term
General improvement districts
There are four-year terms, and there may be some two-year un-expired terms.
GID positions: Cave Rock Estates, Douglas County Mosquito Abatement, Gardnerville Ranchos, Indian Hills, Kingsbury, Lakeridge, Logan Creek, Marla Bay, Oliver Park, Round Hill, Sierra Estates, Skyland, Topaz Ranch Estates, Zephyr Cove, Zephyr Heights, Zephyr Knolls
Douglas County Sewer Improvement District No. 1
East Fork Swimming Pool District
Minden-Gardnerville Sanitation District
Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District
Tahoe-Douglas Sewer District
Town offices
There are four-year terms, and there may be some two-year un-expired terms.
Towns of Gardnerville, Genoa and Minden
Where to file
County Clerk's Office
1594 Esmeralda Ave., Room 105, Minden; call 782-9020
If you plan to file
State candidates must file at the Secretary of State's Office, local candidates at their county/city clerk's office.
Candidates must:
• File a declaration of candidacy
• Sign the Code of Fair Campaign Practices
Pay a filing fee:
Fees must be paid to the filing officer by cash, cashier's check or certified check.
• U.S. senator - $500
• Representative in Congress - $300
• Governor - 300
• Justice of the Supreme Court - $300
• Any state office, other than governor or justice of the Supreme Court - $200
• District judge - $150
• Justice of the peace - $100
• Any county office - $100
• State senator - $100
• Assemblyperson - $100
• Any district office other than district judge - $30
• Constable or other town or township office - $30
Candidates will be given a candidates' package and the paperwork for filing financial disclosures.
On the Net
Fees for state offices can be found in the Nevada Revised Statutes, 293,193 or online at: www.leg.state.nv.us/ NRS/NRS-293.html#NRS293Sec193