CANTON – Massena native Cecily LaVigne Morris has filed nominating petitions with the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections to appear on the ballot as a candidate for family court judge.

Morris said the petitions had more than 2,400 signatures of registered members of the county’s Democratic Party. New York State Election Law requires 1,000 signatures or five percent of the total enrolled voters in a certain party, whichever is less, to be on the ballot in St. Lawrence County. The petitions were circulated by more than 85 friends, family members and members of the Democratic Committee. Morris, who has been visiting with voters since June 8, collected more than 350 signatures herself.

“This has been an amazingly energizing start to our campaign,” Morris said. “This is not an individual effort. It can’t be, and I am humbled by the hard work and support of so many great people. I thank every person who signed my petition and everyone who carried my petitions.”

While Morris announced her intention to run for the open family court judge position in April, today’s filing makes her candidacy official.

“I pledge to operate a campaign based on hard work, honesty and integrity—the same way that I will serve as Family Court Judge, if I am elected in November,” said Morris.

Morris has also been endorsed by the St. Lawrence County Conservative Party and will file Conservative Party and Independence Party petitions this week.

She will face Canton candidate Andrew Moses to fill the position now held by Barabra Potter, who is retiring.

Morris is a lifelong resident of St. Lawrence County. She and her husband, Mark Morris, both graduated from Massena Central High School and have raised their four children (Michael, Emily, Leah, and Kevin) here. They represent the fourth generation the LaVigne and Morris families in St. Lawrence County.