Aspiring politicos can choose from more than 100 positions in the upcoming municipal elections, with open seats running the entire spectrum of local government.

Tuesday was the first day for candidates to circulate and file nomination petitions to appear on the ballot for the May 21 primary, and many positions require as few as 10 petition signatures to make the cut.

For all open positions, those who sign must be 18 or older and reside within the office's jurisdiction. They must be registered to vote in the same party as the candidate. Candidates must also live within the office's jurisdiction.

March 12 is the last day to file petitions. Blank nomination petitions can be picked up at York County Department of Elections and Voter Registration, 28 E. Market St.

Here's a look at the open positions:

---York County row offices up for grabs this year are district attorney,

controller, coroner and recorder of deeds. All are four-year terms, and hopefuls need to gather 250 signatures.

---Common Pleas judge, a 10-year term requiring 250 signatures.

---Each township has at least one open position on its board of supervisors, with 10 signatures required for the six-year terms.

First class townships, such as Penn, Spring Garden and York townships, have open commissioner positions. Ten signatures are required for the four-year terms.

---Each school board has open seats, for which people can cross-file as Republican and Democrat. There are 10 signatures required for each four-year seat except for those in York City, where 100 signatures are needed. If cross-filing, 10 signatures are needed from each party.

---Each town's borough council has at least one opening. Ten signatures are required for the four-year terms.

---All mayors are up for election. Each is a four-year term, and 10 signatures are needed for all boroughs. One hundred signatures are needed for York City.

---York City Council has two four-year seats and one two-year seat open. Candidates need 100 signatures.

---All tax collectors are up for election. Ten signatures are needed for the four-year terms.

---Four magisterial district judge seats are available. Candidates need 100 signatures unless they cross-file; those who cross-file need 100 signatures from each party.

Terms are six years.

Open seats are in York City's 19-1-04, which covers York City wards 6,8 and 15; York City's 19-1-05, which covers York City's 5th Ward and the first and second precincts of the 9th Ward; 19-2-04 in Manchester Township; and 19-3-11, which is a new district covering Hallam, Manchester, Mount Wolf, Wrightsville, and East Manchester and Hellam townships.

---Auditors in all second-class townships and some boroughs. Ten signatures are required for the six-year terms.

---Judges of elections and inspectors of elections. Terms are four years. Judges need 10 signatures and inspectors need five.

Rules and deadlines for third-party candidates vary. For more information, call the York County Department of Elections and Voter Registration at 771-9604.

-- Reach Christina Kauffman at ckauffman@yorkdispatch.com.