Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Filing Fees Set For 2000 Primary

Election time is rapidly approaching.

In Nevada County, the Democratic Central Committee has already met and set the filing fees for local and county offices.

Davis Benton, committee chairman, said the group will meet again to set a workshop for poll workers.

This will be followed by the candidates drawing for ballot positions.

The filing period for the 2000 Democratic Primary will be from Tuesday, March 21 until noon Tuesday, April 4.

Benton said there has been no change in filing fees on the local level.

Those planning to run for Nevada County Sheriff and Nevada County Judge will have to come up with $750.

Others running for offices in the courthouse, including Tax Assessor, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk and County Treasurer face a $600 filing fee.

Candidates for justice of the peace and Prescott City Council will pay 475 filing fees, with the coroner hopefuls to pay a $50 fee.

Benton said there have been rumors about a debate between the candidates for Fourth Congressional District House of Representatives, but he's heard nothing else about it.

"As far as the (election) commission's concerned, everything is in place," Benton said.

There have been some changes in the election laws, he added, and those working the polls will be informed of them.

One of the changes, he said, concerns absentee voting. In the past no questions were asked as to why someone was voting absentee. This year, though, those planning to cast their ballot in this manner will have to explain why.

Another change will be voters needing to have proper identification when they vote. This, Benton said, is to make sure they are voting in the proper place.

"There have been some problems in the past," he said, "but people need to remember the poll workers don't have the authority to deprive anyone the right to vote."

If anyone lies about where they live, he said, it will be voter fraud.

Filing fees on the state and federal level are considerably more expensive than on the local scene.

Candidates for the Arkansas House of Representatives will be required to pay a $1,300 filing fee.

State Senate candidates face a $2,300 fee, as do those running for Prosecuting Attorney.

Circuit Judge and Circuit Chancery Judge candidates have a $3,00 filing fee, while Chancery Judge hopefuls have a $4,000 fee.

Those running for U.S. Congress must pay $5,300, while candidates for the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Supreme Court have filing fees of $8,300.

Interestingly, it only costs presidential candidates $5,000 to file in Arkansas.

The Primary Election will be held May 23, with runoff elections, if needed, set for June. 9.