The candidate filing period for the 2011 election season is officially underway now through Friday.

This year, there are a total of 192 positions are open for election in Pierce County. They include port, city, town, school, fire, park and recreation, water and sewer district offices. In addition, one Superior Court judge position is up for election.

In Bonney Lake, four council seats are up for election this year. In Sumner there are also four seats on the ballot this year, including the special election for Matt Richardson’s replacement.

Individuals interested in running for office need to file a declaration of candidacy form online and submit their voter pamphlet information electronically at www.piercecountywa.org/elections. A kiosk will also be available at the Elections Center to submit a declaration of candidacy.

A list of candidate filings will be available on the Auditor’s website each day.

Online candidate filing closes at 4 p.m. Friday and in-person filing closes at 4:30 p.m. Candidates can also contact Pierce County Elections, 253-798-VOTE (8683), 800-446-4979 if they have questions.

“Don’t wait until the last minute to file,” warned Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson in a press release. “There’s no advantage in waiting to file, so avoid the stress and help our staff out. The Auditor’s Office will not accept late filings or late submission for the Voters’ Pamphlet.”

A lot drawing will be held at approximately 5:30 p.m. after the close of filing to determine the order of candidates on the ballot. Candidate filing and the lot drawing will take place at the Pierce County Elections Center, 2501 S 35th St, Suite C, in Tacoma. The event is open to the public.

The Primary Election is August 16 and the General Election is November 8.