SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WENY) -- Some officials say there's a need for more community participation in local government.  One former Chemung County official is hosting an information session in an effort to encourage new faces to run for local public office.

"Join in the discussion," said How to Run for Local Public Office organizer and former Chemung County Legislator Andy Patros.  "Sign up for the session and explore. You know, explore the journey and the opportunities that comes with running for local public office."

On January 8th at 6 p.m., Patros is hosting a zoom program to help people consider to run for local office.  This class is for anyone in Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties looking to get involved, regardless of party affiliation.

"The 2025 municipal elections in all town seats and village seats will be up in 2025. So, it's the opportune time early to get folks to begin to think about it, because the petition process to get on the ballot begins at the end of February," said Patros.

This class comes at a time where Schuyler County's Village of Odessa is in danger of dissolving because there are not enough people interested in running for local government.  Tioga County, New York is also looking for candidates for an elected coroner position.  Patros says the goal is to get people engaged and organized.

"It lets them ponder and begin to educate themselves on what it takes to run and get involved in meetings, understanding the issues, and just to get folks engaged," added Patros.  "Because we just we don't have people, we don't have enough people running for local public office. Many of the seats go unopposed and that really prevents the voters from having a true choice."

To sign up for the program, email [email protected] and put 'How to Run' in the subject line.

Steuben County is also hosting a petition class for elected office candidates.  This is a free training class for anyone running for or interested in running for an elected office in 2025.  That will happen on February 1st at 9 a.m. at the Steuben County Annex.  RSVP is not required.