RACINE COUNTY - Break out your good sneakers and your ballpoint pens; it's that time of year again.

Local office seekers can start asking people to sign their nomination papers to get their names on the ballot this spring.

This often requires would-be candidates to get out and pound the pavement asking people to sign their papers.

Today is the first day for candidates to circulate nomination papers for the spring election. The have a month to get the required number of signatures, which is different for each race.

Local offices are contested in the spring election - city councils, village boards and school boards, among others.

Candidates must be a qualified elector of the county, city, village or town and resides in the jurisdiction at the time of election, according to the election division of the state Government Accountability Board.

If districts are used, they must be a qualified elector of the district and resides in the district at the time of election.

Incumbents who are unsure whether they will run again have until Dec. 26 to decide.

The deadline to submit nomination papers, declarations of candidacy and campaign registration statements is Jan. 6.

The spring primary, if one is needed, is Feb. 17. The spring election is April 7.

Among the statewide elections this spring, voters will pick a new superintendent of public instruction.

Check with your local clerk if you are interested in running for office.

Who can run?

- State law defines a qualified elector as a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, who has resided in the election district for at least 10 days before any election at which he or she offers to vote.

- No person may have his/her name placed on the ballot for any state or local elected office in Wisconsin if the person has been convicted of a felony in any court in the United States unless the person has been pardoned of the conviction.

Source: Government Accountability Board