GALLIPOLIS — Three current Gallipolis City Commissioners nearing the ends of their term will run for re-election among a total of eight candidates who submitted petitions in time for last Thursday’s deadline to run for three open city commission seats, according to the Gallia County Board of Elections.

The three seats under consideration are currently occupied by James Cozza, Dow Saunders, and Carroll Snowden, all of whom have petitioned to seek re-election.

Other candidates seeking a run on this fall’s ballot include Jay Cremeens, Cheryl A. Enyart, William M. Johnson, Robert L. Marchi, and Jeffrey O’Dell.

The elections board will meet Friday to review the candidates in order to decide whether or not it is necessary to hold a primary election on May 5. According to the Ohio Revised Code, the number of candidates must be double the number of open seats plus one in order for a primary to be necessary, which means that if two or more candidates are not accepted then a primary will not be held.

This year’s elections fall during on off-year making them strictly local. Other petitions for the Nov. 3 general election, such as potential school board or township clerk or trustee candidates, are not due until Aug. 28.

Citizens who are not registered to vote, but wish to cast a ballot during the primary election must register by April 6. Those who are not registered, but want to vote in the general election must do so by Oct. 5.