Candidates can now officially file to qualify to run in this spring's upcoming party primaries, typically seen as the more telling ballot than November's general election for this area of Alabama.

This year's elections will be for county, state, federal, circuit, district and legislative seats. Unlike last fall's municipal elections for council members and mayors, these races are by political party. Historically, the Republican ballot is more loaded and competitive than the Democratic ballot, so the primary is an important milestone for voters looking to elect their next representatives for people who will determine policies and laws regarding county land use, state laws and national legislators, among others.

The deadline to declare candidacy is by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23. Candidates seeking federal, state, circuit, district or legislative office must file with their party's state chairman, while candidates for county offices must file with their party's county chairman.

Party primaries are May 19.

NEED TO KNOW FOR VOTERS

If you vote in a primary election, state law says you can vote in a subsequent primary runoff for the same political party. You can also vote in a primary runoff if you did not participate in the primary election, and you can choose either party's runoff. You cannot crossover vote, meaning if you vote in the Republican primary, you cannot vote in the Democrat runoff, if one is needed, and vice versa.

Alabama law does not require residents to declare a party, so voters can choose either party's ballot at the precinct on Election Day.

Here are some important dates to know:

- May 4: Voter registration deadline

- May 12: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail

- May 14: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person

- May 18: Last day to hand-deliver absentee ballot

- May 19: Absentee ballots returned by mail by be received by noon.

- June 16: Runoff election, if necessary

SEATS UP FOR ELECTION FOR BALDWIN COUNTY VOTERS

Baldwin County seats

Sheriff

Coroner

Revenue Commissioner

Board of Education, District 3

Board of Education, District 5

Board of Education, District 6

County Commission, District 1

County Commission, District 2

County Commission, District 3

County Commission, District 4

State seats

Governor

Lt. Governor

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Treasurer

Auditor

Commissioner of Agriculture

State Senate, District 22

State Senate, District 32

State Senate, District 33

State House, District 64

State House, District 66

State House, District 94

State House, District 95

State House, District 96

State House, District 102

Supreme Court, Seat 1

Supreme Court, Seat 2

Supreme Court, Seat 8

Court of Civil Appeals, Place 4

Court of Civil Appeals, Place 5

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5

Federal seats

U.S. Senate

U.S. House, District 1

More information on the primary election and candidates will publish here and can be all found online at www.gulfcoastmedia.com/election.