BISBEE — As the nation readies for the November elections, preparations here in Cochise County are being made for several county contests that include Superior Court judges, Board of Supervisors, assessor, recorder, treasurer, attorney and sheriff.

A number of candidates have taken the first step by taking out the initial candidate packets that include: the Cochise County candidate pamphlet, a candidate and political committee handbook, the $500 Threshold Exception Statement and the Statement of Organization.

The candidate must file either the $500 Threshold Exemption Statement or Statement of Organization, depending on whether or not the candidate plans to exceed $500 in contributions. One or the other must be filed before accepting contributions, making expenditures, distributing campaign literature or circulating petitions, according to the state election Web site.

To run for any county seat, one must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of the state and district in which he or she proposes to represent, and must be able to read and write the English language.

Board of Supervisors

For the Board of Supervisors District 1 seat, the only candidate so far is incumbent Pat Call, who is a Republican living in Sierra Vista.

In District 2, the race for the seat now held by Democrat Paul Newman of Bisbee includes Republican Harvey Allen of Elfrida; Democrats Ann English and Charles Flanagan, both from McNeal; and non-partisan Matthew Alan Cook of Bisbee. As of Monday, Newman had not taken out a candidate packet.

Two people are running for the District 3 seat now held by Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Searle. They are Democrat Sharon Thomas of Sierra Vista and Searle, a Republican from Pearce.

Superior Court Judge-Divisions 4 and 5

Three people are running for Superior Court Judge Division 4. They are: Roger H. Conteras, a Republican from Hereford; Mark Suagee, a Democrat from Benson; John F. Kelliher, a Republican (no address given); and incumbent Ann R. Littrel, a Democrat from Bisbee.

Incumbent James L. Conologue, a Democrat from Hereford, is seeking re-election in District 5.

Those seeking a judgeship must be at least 30 years old, of good moral character, admitted to the practice of law and an Arizona resident for at least five years, living in the district to be represented and must be able to read and write English.

County Sheriff

In the race for the county sheriff seat, incumbent Larry Dever, a Republican from St. David, Republican Bill Cloud of Sierra Vista, and Norman K. Bradley, a Democrat from Benson, have taken out packets.

Other county races:

• County recorder — Christine Rhodes, Bisbee, incumbent.

• County attorney — Ed Rheinheimer, Sierra Vista, incumbent. This office requires the candidate hold a law degree and be licensed in Arizona.

• County assessor — Philip Leindecker, Hereford, incumbent.

• County school superintendent — Trudy Berry, incumbent. Candidates seeking this office must have a teaching degree and a certificate to teach in Arizona schools in addition to living within the county.

• County treasurer — Marsha Bonham, incumbent.

 For more information, go to the county Web site at: co.cochise.az.us/elections. For information on voter registration and mail-in ballots, call the County Recorder’s Office at 432-8354.