Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant certifies the list of 2010 election candidates Tuesday evening.

Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant certified the list of 2010 election candidates Tuesday evening after the deadline passed for candidates to have their name removed from the primary ballot.

One last-minute addition to the local political races is Republican Blake Thompson, who filed to run against incumbent delegate Tiffany Lawrence, D-Jefferson, for her House of Delegates 58th District seat.

About 470 candidates filed to run for offices such as House of Delegates, State Senate, and Republican and Democratic State Executive Committee.

The filing period began Jan. 11 and ended at midnight on January 30, when candidacy papers had to be signed, notarized, and postmarked.

The complete listing of candidates is available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.wvsos.com

On Feb. 23, county clerks around the state will conduct a ballot position drawing. Counties will soon finalize the list of candidate seeking county offices and send that list to the Secretary of State’s Office.

“This is really an exciting time,” Tennant said. “There is something election related happening just about every day for almost the rest of the year.

“Candidates are going to be campaigning, voters are going to be examining the issues that really matter to them, and we here in the Secretary of State’s Office are going to be available to answer questions. The primary will be here before you know it.”

In person early voting begins on April 21, and the primary election is May 11. People can also find out more information on how to register to vote at the Secretary of State’s website.