Three former Bluffton council members submitted petitions to seek council seats on the Nov. 7 Bluffton general election.

Filing as Republicans are Jerry Cupples and David Steiner. Filing as a Democrat is Mitchell Kingsley. The filing deadline for persons running under a political party designation was Feb. 1.

Bluffton council candidates choosing to run as independents have until May 1 to file petitions. Four council seats will be on the November ballot.

Those seats are currently held by Sean Burrell, Ralph Miller, Phill Talavinia and Roger Warren. Any of these four officerholders must file as independents or as write-in candidates to be on the November ballot. The deadline to file as an independent is May 1.

Two council members who are not up for re-election in 2017 are Joe Sehlhorst and Richard Johnson.

This is also an election year for persons on the Bluffton school board and Richland Township trustees. Both those board have non-partisan races and those filing deadlines are Aug. 9.

Bluffton schools
The three school board seats up are currently held by:
• Brad Fruchey
• Wesley Klinger
• Ken Lugibihl

Richland Township
The two trustee seats up are currently held by:
• Rod Goldsberry
• Gary Lugibihl