Although political candidates have been announcing their plans to run for weeks — or even longer — today (Thursday) marks the official start of the campaign season.

From 8 a.m. today through 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29, those interested in running for a municipal office or running for a partisan office as a Republican or Democrat can formally file their candidacies and have their names placed on the primary election ballot.

While this year’s elections won’t feature a presidential race, they do include a slew of important state, county and local races ranging from the governor’s office down to internal political party positions.

Wyomingites will pick two new members of Congress and vote on five statewide officials, while voters in Park County will help choose six state lawmakers plus 10 county positions that include the sheriff and three of the five commissioners. 

Four of the six seats on the Powell City Council and three of six in Cody are also up for grabs — not to mention 130 precinct committee positions that govern the local Republican and Democratic parties.

Park County Elections Deputy Katie Johnson said the office has had many people call with questions about the filing period and the required paperwork, on top of interest from the general public.

“I anticipate us being busy [Thursday],” Johnson said.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, six candidates for Park County offices had already visited the clerk’s elections office to form campaign committees, so, “we’re off and running here,” Johnson said.

For those looking to learn more about the candidates, Cody High School’s Youth for Justice is hosting a Saturday afternoon meet-and-greet at Cody City Park. More than two dozen candidates are expected at the “Politics in the Park” event from 2-4 p.m.

While Democratic and Republican contenders will need to file their candidacies by May 29, Constitution and Libertarian party candidates will go through a separate process with those minor parties. Additionally, independent candidates for partisan offices and candidates for nonpartisan special district positions — such as school and fire boards — don’t file until August, as they go straight to November’s general election ballot.

For more information about Park County elections — including an updating list of who’s filed for local offices — visit parkcounty-wy.gov/county-elections.