In the three weeks since 2011 election filings have begun, fewer Warren County residents than four years ago have confirmed they’ll seek local and state-level offices.

Courthouse and state officials have accepted 15 filings from those wanting to run for the Legislature or any of 11 county or district offices. Papers from 23 candidates had been filed at this point in 2007. Primaries are Aug. 2 and the general election is Nov. 8.

“It’s been kind of slow,” Circuit Clerk Shelly Ashley-Palmertree said last week, just days after filing for a third term in the office that processes circuit court cases, registers voters, issues marriage licenses and facilitate elections.

Such issues as funding a new jail and tighter controls on garbage pickup outside Vicksburg have highlighted the discourse on the Board of Supervisors for virtually the entire current term. Still, only one of the five seats had picked up a challenge through Friday, according to the Circuit Clerk’s Office.

John W. “J.W.” Carroll, 63, a retired electrical contractor, filed as an independent for the District 5 seat, represented by Richard George. Carroll cited recent findings of a likely tax increase across all economic strata to finance the most ambitiously-modeled jail as his rationale for seeking public office.

George, 61, hasn’t submitted papers for another run as an independent — but said he’ll do so before qualifying ends March 1.

“Yeah, I’m going to run,” George said after the board met Monday.