Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Krystle Ransom, the county’s director of elections, speaks during a candidate’s night event held Thursday at the Warren County Courthouse.

Tuesday marks the state of 2023’s election season.

Candidates can start securing signatures on nominating petitions.

County elections officials held a candidate’s night event Thursday — about 30 attended — to get potential candidates the information they need.

At the county level, all three commissioners are up for election, representatives in each school board region, two magisterial district judges, treasurer, register and recorder, sheriff and the county’s auditors.

Three Warren City Council seats will be up for grabs at the city level as well as borough council and supervisor seats in the municipalities. Constables and auditors will also be up and down the ballot.

“It’s easy to get hung up on the rules,” Commissioner Ben Kafferlin said. “Public service is important.”

He said the climate is “more negative than when I ran in 2015…. My hat’s off to anyone willing to get back in the fray.”

Elections Director Krystle Ransom said candidates can start gathering signatures on Valentine’s Day.

“You cannot start until next Tuesday,” she reiterated, explaining that the signature window closes on March 7.

She highlighted pieces of campaign finance law, which she said is an area that everyone “overthinks.” Discussion included the “paid for” line on things like yard signs, the importance on filing reports on time, tracking in-kind contributions and a reminder that anyone accepting more than $100 from someone can’t do it in cash.

“My suggestion to you,” she said, “keep track of everything.”

Anyone looking for the petition form can pick those up at the county elections office. Ransom said that copies of the form can’t be considered.

She stressed that she’s willing to help potential candidates however she can.

Kafferlin waxed philosophically, talking about the importance of using elected office for “something greater than ourselves.”

He called elected office a “noble calling” and “worthy of aspiration.”

Highlighting county offices, he reminded potential candidates that the offices are w00 years old.

“If elected, you are caretaker of a precious inheritance,” he said. “(It’s) not our role to slash and burn…. It’s not about partisan politics. It’s public service.”