By DAN ROBLEE

droblee@mininggazette.com

L’ANSE – Candidates for county and township offices need to file about three weeks earlier than in the past years to get their names on the Aug. 2 primary ballot, according to Baraga County Clerk Wendy Goodreau, and filing paperwork has already begun to trickle in.

So far it’s been all incumbents, she said, though one newcomer is at least considering a run for the county commission. In recent years, the vast majority of elections in the county have been uncontested.

“We’ve had one person who would be challenging an incumbent stop by for paperwork, but they haven’t filed yet,” said Goodreau.

The filing deadline for county and township seats, which require primary votes, is April 19, Goodreau said. Candidates in village and school elections don’t face primaries, and can register until July 26, she said.

To get on the ballot, she said, candidates need to file an affidavit of identity and a nominating petition signed by a minimum of three people registered to vote in the district. Blank affidavits and petitions are available at the county office, Goodreau said.

Filing so far for county seats are Goodreau, Treasurer Anne Koski, Sheriff Rick Johnson, and commissioners Mike Koskinen and William Menge. Johnson, who was appointed to his post in August, is the only candidate not to have been previously picked by voters.

Four Baraga Towship officials have filed for re-election, Goodreau said. They are Supervisor Amy Isaacson, Treasurer Katherine Wadaga, Clerk Michelle Clisch and Trustee Glenn Juntunen.

L’Anse Township Clerk Brian Jentoft has also filed.