RIDGWAY — The Elk County Democratic committee will host its annual petition signing luncheon beginning at noon Saturday at the American Legion in Ridgway.

The event will feature a soup, salad and sandwich lunch. Democrats from across Elk County are encouraged to come out and meet their party’s candidates for the May primary. Candidates for the primary are required to obtain signatures from their party’s voters to have their name on the ballot. Voters will be able to sign the petitions for the candidates in attendance. The petition signing period started Tuesday and runs through March 12. The luncheon is free but donations to the committee are requested to help defray costs.

With 2019 being a municipal election year, numerous local offices are on the ballot for township, borough, city, school district and county positions. In addition, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 59th Judicial District is also vacant and will be on this year’s ballot. The 59th District encompasses Elk and Cameron counties. Also, at the county level, up for election are the two commissioner positions, two auditor positions, sheriff, prothonotary, register & recorder, treasurer and coroner. Each township will also have at least one supervisor and one auditor position on the ballot. Numerous council person positions are up in Ridgway and Johnsonburg Borough and the City of St. Marys. School director (school board) elections will also be decided in 2019.

Elk County Democratic candidates that are seeking the party’s nomination are encouraged to attend the luncheon. Candidates who can’t attend are requested to contact the Committee Chair as soon as possible via e-mail at chair@elkdems.com or phone 814-594-5500. Interested Democrats can also reach out for more information on the party and the luncheon.