As soon as employees at the Fayette County Board of Elections closed the book on the Nov. 3 general election, they immediately had to turn their attention to the next election cycle.

The 2016 primary election will be held on March 15 and it is an important one not only nationally due to the presidential election, but also locally. “Many county officials will be up for reelection in 2016,” said Jamie Brooks, the Fayette County Board of Elections director. “We had to immediately focus on this primary election right after the November election, so we hit the ground running.”

County officials seeking another term will be Commissioners Tony Anderson and Dan Dean, Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, Treasurer Susan Dunn, Prosecuting Attorney Jess Weade, Clerk of Courts Evelyn A. Pentzer, Coroner Dr. Dennis Mesker, Engineer Steve Luebbe, and Recorder Cathy Templin.

Since all of these county officials are registered Republicans, any opposition in the primary election would have to be Republicans as well.

“For those who plan to run, the deadline for filing is Wednesday, Dec. 16,” said Brooks. “The day after, the board of elections will meet to certify it. It’s coming up quickly.”

More information, including who’s on the ballot will be released once the election is certified. Stay with the Record-Herald website and print edition for much more.