County Executive Race Leads 2013 Ballot - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Today is the first day that candidates can collect signatures for the spring primary for 2013.

County Executive Barry Grossman is seeking re-election. That race, plus an open seat on the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, is expected to highlight the 2013 election year.

But it's going to be a crowded ballot. There are open seats for Erie City Council and Erie County Council. Other would include some County row offices and dozens of smaller community seats for school board, commissioners and tax collectors.

Candidates have to be careful during the petition process. If too many signatures are found to be invalid a candidate can be forced off the ballot.

"I tell candidates, make sure you have more signatures than you need," Election Supervisor Sharon Drayer told us. "In case some are invalid."