How to Run for Local Office in Owsley County

Prospective candidates in Owsley County should begin by contacting the Owsley County Clerk’s Office to obtain the official candidate packet and confirm requirements for the office they seek. The county clerk’s office is located at 20 Main Street (1st Floor Courthouse), PO Box 500, Booneville, KY 41314; phone (606) 593-5735. An email address and office hours, including first-Saturday hours when provided, are posted on the clerk’s website; candidates should call ahead to confirm times and make appointments.

Filing for local office is initiated at the county clerk’s office. Filings submitted locally are forwarded to the Kentucky Secretary of State and the county clerk’s website links to the state Candidate Filings database, which together form the official public record of who has filed and when. Typical filing requirements vary by office but commonly include a signed candidate statement, party designation for partisan races, and a filing fee. Some county offices require only a $50 filing fee; candidates must verify the exact amount for their chosen office with the clerk.

Deadlines for filing can have significant practical effects. For the 2026 election cycle some county offices use early-January filing deadlines, and county-level filing periods can fall within the first two weeks of January for the primary cycle. The county clerk’s office and the Kentucky Secretary of State publish the official filing period and the exact deadline for each office; candidates must consult those authoritative sources to avoid missing the window to qualify for the ballot.

When a race is opposed, clerk offices typically schedule a ballot position drawing; the date and time for that drawing are posted locally. Candidates are also required to file campaign finance disclosures in a timely manner as required by state law. Those disclosures are a core transparency mechanism that allows voters to see who is supporting candidates and how campaigns are financed.

For residents considering a run, practical next steps are straightforward: contact the Owsley County Clerk to request a candidate packet, verify filing fees and required forms, and confirm the ballot-position drawing schedule. For statewide procedural guidance and the official candidate list, consult the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Candidate Filings portal. Clear, timely filings and accurate disclosures help maintain an accountable local government and give voters the information they need to make informed choices.