VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — As the new year begins, a new election cycle is also beginning with a number of county and municipal seats up for election in the coming year.

(Pictured above: Incumbent Commissioners Timothy S. Brooks and Albert “Chip” Abramovic.)

While our last election was focused on the Senate, House, and State seats, this year’s election is a local affair, with a possibility of judicial posts and statewide ballot questions.

Local election officials are already gearing up.

“Our elections coordinator has already started the prep work,” Gerry McGuinness, Venango County Voter Registrar told exploreVenango.com.

According to Elections Coordinator Dottie Tawney, they are looking forward to a bustling year.

“It is going to be a busy election, but all municipals are (busy),” Tawney said. “Townships and boroughs are responding now, and we’re doing well so far.”

The primary election, scheduled for May 21, will pare down the local nominees for the Republican and Democrat parties to face off in November’s general election.

While the first day to circulate and file nomination petitions isn’t until February 19 and the final day to circulate petitions falls on March 12, some candidates have already stepped forward.

Incumbent Commissioner Tim Brooks announced his bid for re-election earlier this week.

Incumbent Commissioner Albert “Chip” Abramovic told exploreVenango.com he also plans to run for re-election, though he has not yet made his formal announcement.

Incumbent Commissioner Vince Witherup has not made any official announcement yet and was unavailable for comment.

Other Venango County positions on the ballot include Treasurer (incumbent Deborah Sharpe), Prothonotary (incumbent Paula Palmer), and Auditors (incumbents Teri McFadden, Heather Mohnkern, and Jamie Weaver).

There will also be a number of municipal posts on this year’s ballot, including several council seats up for grabs in both Franklin and Oil City.

In Forest County, the Commissioners seats are up for election, as well. The incumbents are Robert Snyder Jr., Basil Huffman, and Norman Wimer.

Other Forest County positions on the ballot include District Attorney (incumbent Barbara Litten), Coroner (incumbent Norman Wimer), Treasurer (incumbent Stacey L. Barnes), Register/Recorder/Prothonotary (incumbent Dawn M. Millin), and Auditors (incumbents Deborah Wagner, Louise Fedora, and Carolyn Mealy).

IMPORTANT 2019 PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS DATES TO REMEMBER

February 19: First day to circulate and file nomination petitions
March 12: Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions
March 13: First day to circulate and file nomination papers
March 27: Last day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions
April 22: Last day to REGISTER before the primary
May 14: Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot
May 17: Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots
May 21: MUNICIPAL PRIMARY
May 22: First day to REGISTER after the primary
May 28: Last day for County Board of Elections receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than11:59 P.M. on May 20)
August 1: Last day to circulate and file nomination papers
August 8: Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated by nomination papers
August 12: Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated at the primary
October 7: Last day to REGISTER before the November election
October 29: Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot
November 1: Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted civilian, absentee ballots,
November 5: MUNICIPAL ELECTION
November 6: First day to REGISTER after the November election
November 12: Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on November 4)

Note: All dates in this calendar are subject to change without notice.