While most area residents are focused on November’s general election to elect a president, many area elected officials are fixing their focus on another election.

On April 9, 2013, residents will again return to the polls for the consolidated election, this time to choose local officials, ranging from mayors and village clerks to school board members and library district trustees.

Today, Tuesday, potential candidates can visit their local city hall or school to pick up petitions to earn a place on the April ballot.