The initial rush of qualifying for this year’s county and areaelections appears to have subsided.

Early qualifying has produced a good slate of candidates, manyof whom are incumbents looking to serve additional terms in office.In other cases, challengers who believe they can do a better job ina particular office have signed up to run.

Anyone considering a run for elected office has a little oversix weeks to qualify before the March 1 deadline.

Whether it is someone already in office, a current challenger ora potential candidate, Lincoln County needs strong electedofficials who can lead this community into a better tomorrow.Voters will be making the decisions on who the leaders will beduring the August primaries and the November general election.

The first step to being on the ballot, though, is qualifying torun. The time to do that is now.

To those already in elected office or on the ballot, thank youfor your willingness to serve. To those considering a campaign,weigh your options carefully and, if you are so led, sign up to runfor office.