Both parties to elect committee members primary

Both major political parties in Schuylkill County will be electing committee people from each precinct and also representatives to the party's state committee during the 2010 primary electon which will be held on May 18.

The Republican Party will be electing one committee person and two alternates from each precinct and the Democratic Party one committee person from each precinct. After the election the two committees will hold a convention to elect the chairman of their party. To the state committee the Republican Party will be electing two representative and two alternates and the Democrats one representative and two alternates.

The only county offices up for election this year are for the three state representative seats in the 123rd, 124th and 125th legislative districts and the other offices are to be filled are a governor, lieutenant governor, the seat in the 17th Congressional Disttrict which includes Schuylkill County and one U.S. Senate seat.

The 2010 primary campaign finance report deadlines are as follows:

Tuesday, April 6, for the sixth Tuesday pre-primary period. This report is required to be filed only by candidates for statewide office, their authorized candidate committees and any political committee or lobbyist that has made an expenditure to influence the election of a statewide candidate.

Friday, May 7, for the second Friday pre-primary and Thursday, June 17, for the 30 days post-primary election report, are required to be filed by all candidates appearing on the ballot and all political committees and lobbyists that have made expenditures to influence the election of such candidates.

Key dates to remember for the Primary Election are as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 16, first day to circulate petitions to acquire signatures of voters endorsing their candidacy and file nomination petitions.

Tuesday, March 9, last day to circulate nomination petitions to obtain signatures.

Wednesday, March 10, is last day to circulate petitions and file in the election bureau

Wednesday, March 24, is the last day for withdrawal by candiates who filed nomination petitions.

Monday, April 19, is last day to register to be eligible to vote in the primary election.

Tuesday, May 11, is last day to apply to for a civilian absentee ballot for voters who will be away on election day or unable to go to the polls because of disability.

Tuesday, May 18, Primary Election Day.

Tuesday, May 25, is last day for the election board to receive voted military and overseas absenttee ballots which must be postmarked no later than May 17.