Candidates to begin filing for election today

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