Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Warren County Elections Director Lisa Rivett presents the ins and outs of being a candidate during a forum held for about 50 prospective candidates at the Warren County Courthouse on Thursday.

There are dozens of offices up for election in the 2021 municipal election cycle.

About 50 prospective candidates took part in a candidate forum held at the Warren County Courthouse on Thursday.

The session was a time for potential candidates to learn about the process of circulating nominating petitions, forming campaign committees and campaign finance reporting, among other topics.

“This is a challenging time to run for office,” Commissioner Ben Kafferlin told those in attendance, citing both changes to the election code and vitriol in our current climate.

He told those in attendance that this was the first step in running for office and cautioned the potential candidates about the increased scrutiny that elections operations will be under, including the nominating petition process.

Elections Director Lisa Rivett said candidates can start seeking signatures on petitions on Feb. 16 and that the last day to file petitions is March 9.

County and city officials need 100 signatures while borough, township and school district officers require a minimum of 10.

While a change in the law permits anyone in the state to pass petitions for a candidate — rather than just people from your jurisdiction — Rivett emphasized that candidates have to be “personally responsible” for who is collecting signatures on their behalf.

She said a candidate once dropped a petition off at a bar and no one knew so it wasn’t challenged.

“You have to do everything you can to make sure your petition is solid,” she added.

Rivett told the prospective candidates that it isn’t filing petitions that triggers their candidacy — it’s spending — or accepting — money.

“There’s no limit to what someone can contribute to your campaign,” she said, noting that any amount over $100 has to be a check or money order. “You cannot accept an anonymous contribution.”

She advised that any anonymous contributions have to be turned over to the state treasury within 20 days.

Rivett also emphasized the importance of the pesky declaimer — “paid for by the…” on anything large enough for the disclaimer to be put on, such as yard signs.

She said it’s important to include that “so people know how you’re spending your money” and said candidates can be required to go around to all their signs to add the disclaimer.

If there are primary races with multiple candidates from the same party, ballot position will be drawn on March 17. For the fall election, the party of the governor dictates who appears on the ballot first.

Rivett emphasized that, while she can’t provide legal or accounting advice, she is willing to answer any and all questions about the process.

“I don’t want to see anyone off the ballot that wants to be on the ballot,” she said.