Have you ever thought about public service? There is still time to run for local office this fall.

Ionia County Clerk, Greg Geiger told the Beacon on Friday that he is busy helping local office seekers complete the filing requirements for the August 4th Primary election. The deadline to file to run for State, County and Township Office is Tuesday, April 21st at 4:00. Geiger is available to assist anyone who is interested in seeking office, answer questions about any of the offices, and to assist in completing the necessary filing paperwork. He can be reached anytime before the filing deadline at ggeiger@ioniacounty.org

All Ionia County Elected Offices will be on the ballot for the upcoming August 4th Primary. This includes Ionia County Prosecutor, Ionia County Sheriff, Ionia County Clerk, Ionia County Treasurer, and the Ionia County Register of Deeds. All incumbents have filed for re-election except Diane Adams, the current Ionia County Register of Deeds, who is retiring. In addition, one of the two Ionia-Montcalm 8th Circuit Court Judgeships, currently held by Judge Suzanne Hoseth-Kreeger, will be on the Ballot. Judge Hoseth-Kreeger is seeking re-election.

The seven Ionia County Board of Commission seats will all be on the Ballot this November. As of Friday afternoon, Portland area Commissioners Jack Shattuck and Georgia Sharp have filed for re-election and are currently unopposed.

In addition, all Ionia County township offices (Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, Trustees) will be on the Ballot. There are sixteen townships in Ionia County.

State Representative Julie Calley (R-Portland) is seeking her third term in the State Legislature this November. She is currently unopposed for the 87th District seat. Interested parties must file by Tuesday directly with the Michigan Secretary of State.

There are no Portland City Council Seats on the Ballot until 2021. Please contact the Portland City Clerk.

The winners of the August primary election will advance to the General Election on November 3rd.

The Portland School Board election will also be held on November 4th but the deadline to file for these non-partisan seats, with the Ionia County Clerk, is July 21st

Most all elected officials are compensated in some way for their work either through per diems, stipends, travel expenses, and/or salaries. Some of the positions include full-time salaries with benefits. Ionia County Clerk Ben Geiger can answer most questions regarding compensation and benefits.