If you see people standing outside Riddle’s or at the post office with clipboard in hand and they’re trying to chat you up, chances are they’re running for election.

Nomination papers, the first step in the town election process, are available at the town clerk’s office on the first floor of Hull Town Hall, 253 Atlantic Ave.

Potential candidates must take out nomination papers for a specific position and return them to the town clerk’s office with the signatures of at least 43 registered voters by 5 p.m. March 28.

According to Assistant Town Clerk Lori West, the following seats are up for grabs this year:

• Board of assessors: One three-year term, currently held by Richard Morris;

• Board of selectmen: Two three-year terms, currently held by John Brannan and John Reilly;

• Hull Housing Authority: One five-year term, currently held by Anne Margaret Gould MacEachern;

• Town moderator: One three-year term, currently held by Michael Nuesse;

• Hull Municipal Light Board: Two three-year terms, currently held by Daniel Ciccariello and David Irwin;

• Hull Planning Board: One five-year seat, currently held by Jeanne Paquin;

• Hull Redevelopment Authority: One five-year term, currently held by Spencer O’Loughlin;

• Hull School Committee: Two three-year terms, currently held by David Twombly and Marianne Harte;

• Board of library trustees: Two three-year terms, currently held by Loretta [Lori] West and Kevin Loechner;

• Town clerk: One three-year term. Vacant due to Janet Bennett’s death earlier this month.

Most board positions are unpaid. Assessors, selectmen, light board, moderator, housing authority, and town clerk are paid.

The last day to take out nomination papers is 5 p.m., March 24.

There is one caveat for this year’s election. The town may apply for special legislation to allow the state Senate election that’s currently scheduled for May 10, and Hull’s election, May 16, on the same day. If the two are combined, the election will be held May 10. West said she will notify the public as soon as possible if that comes to pass.

For more information about the town election, contact West at 781 925-2262, ext. 3, or email Lwest@town.hull.ma.us.

The Hull Times will print free announcements of candidacy through our April 21 edition. Final copy deadline is Monday, April 18 at 5 p.m. Please note that no late announcements will be printed.

Announcements should be typed, double spaced, and no more than 500 words. Clear photographs will also be accepted.

We will accept press releases about campaign issues, but not fundraisers. These are the stuff of paid advertisements. Press releases may be published, space available, right up until the May election. We reserve the right to edit or reject any submissions.

During the campaign, the Times may solicit candidates’ views on the issues. Priority will be given to these responses.

Letters to the editor will not be accepted from candidates, and letters supporting or attacking candidates for office will also be rejected. All material published in our May 5 edition – the week before the election – will be subject to close scrutiny because of the lack of opponents’ response time.

Candidates should note that these deadlines may be adjusted if the state Senate election and Hull’s town election are scheduled to coincide on the same day. That would make the May town election May 10 instead of the 16th.

Political ads should be factual and in good taste. We reserve the right to reject advertising that makes assertions that cannot be verified. By state law, all political advertising must be paid for in advance of publication.

For information about advertising, call Roger Jackson at 781 925-9266, or stop by our office at 412 Nantasket Ave.

Press releases and announcements may be delivered to our office, where there is a 24-hour mailbox available, left in our drop box at Nantasket Pharmacy during regular business hours, mailed to 412 Nantasket Ave., faxed to 781 925-0336, or e-mailed to susanhulltimes@gmail.com.

Deadline is Tuesday at 5 p.m. each week.