Resident registered Democrats who can fulfill the necessary criteria by August 12 can petition their way onto this November’s local ballot to run for first selectman.

There are similar openings for a Republican or Democrat in each of Newtown’s three Legislative Council Districts, as well as on the Boards of Education and Finance.

Openings also exist for those who would like to serve the community in some more strategic capacity. In that case, both parties have open ballot slots for Police Commissioner, Zoning Board of Appeals, and several other elected panels.

Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead contacted The Newtown Bee July 30 after receiving a certified list that includes fewer names of party-endorsed candidates than the party is entitled to nominate for a number of elected offices.

For Democrats, the following offices still have available seats that can be filled by a qualified petitioner registered with that party:

First Selectman: 1

Legislative Council District One: 1

Legislative Council District Two: 1

Legislative Council District Three: 1

Board of Finance: 2

Board of Education: 1

Planning & Zoning Commission: 1

Planning & Zoning Commission, Alternates: 1

Zoning Board of Appeals: 2

Zoning Board of Appeals, Alternates: 2

Police Commissioners: 1

Police Commissioners (vacancy for 2 years): 1

Board of Manager of Edmond Town Hall: 1

For Republicans, the following offices still have available seats that can be filled by a qualified petitioner registered with that party:

Legislative Council District One: 1

Legislative Council District Two: 1

Legislative Council District Three: 1

Board of Finance: 2

Board of Education: 1

Planning & Zoning Commission, Alternates: 1

Zoning Board of Appeals: 1

Zoning Board of Appeals, Alternates: 1

Police Commissioners: 1

According to the town clerk, a primary will be held September 16 if, for a particular office, the number of party-endorsed candidates plus the number of qualified candidates filing petitions exceeds the maximum number that the party is entitled to nominate for that office.

Any such petitions must be filed not later than 4 pm on August 12. Petition forms, instructions, and information concerning the procedure for filing of opposing candidacies, including schedules, may be obtained from each party’s registrar of voters at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

August 5 was the deadline for unaffiliated voters to file petitions for this November’s local ballot.

According to the Secretary of the State’s Office write-in candidates may run in the general election, but must register with the Connecticut Secretary of State no earlier than 90 days — and no later than 14 days — before the general election. The write-in registration must include the candidate’s name and address, the office sought, and a statement of consent to be a candidate.

Questions may be directed to the registrars’ office at 203-270-4250 or visit ct.gov/sots.