Tom Slockett Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration 913 S. Dubuque Street, Suite #101 Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207 email: auditor@pobox.com web: www.jcauditor.com

INFORMATION RELEASE

To: Johnson County Media

From: Tom Slockett

Date: July 3, 2000

Subject: Auditors Office Accepting Declarations of Intent To Run for County Office from Third Party and Non-Party Candidates

Third party and non-party candidates for Johnson County office may now inform the Johnson County Auditor’s Office of their intention to run in the November General Election. Previously, the Auditor’s Office could not recognize these candidates until five months after political party candidates were allowed to file nomination papers under state law.

A "Declaration of Intent To Run for County Office" form will allow third party and non-party candidates to declare plans to run in the November General Election at the same time political party candidates can file for the June Primary Election. A list of declared candidates will be made available to the public.

The new policy applies to Johnson County candidates for the Board of Supervisors, Auditor, Sheriff, and township offices in 2000. It will include County Attorney, Recorder, and Treasurer when those offices are open in 2002. The policy does not include candidates for state or federal office, who file nomination papers with the Iowa Secretary of State.

Iowa law defines political parties as organizations that received more than 2% of the vote for President or Governor in the last General Election. Currently, only the Democratic and Republican parties qualify. The Reform Party had party status from 1996 to 1998.

Candidates who do not represent the qualified parties cannot legally file for county office until August 7, 92 days before the November 7 General Election. Candidates running for the same offices on the Democratic or Republican ticket could file as early as March 6, 92 days before the June 6 Primary Election.

Declaration of intended candidacy forms are available at the Auditor’s office and on the Auditor’s web site at www.jcauditor.com.