MARGIE RICE took out nomination papers Monday to again become the mayor of Westminster (File photo).

The race for city council and school seats for the Nov. 8 election began Monday, and there’s already one especially interesting contest shaping up. Longtime Westminster mayor Margie Rice – now serving as a city council member – has taken out nomination papers to again run for mayor, challenging incumbent Tri Ta.

After one day, Ta and Rice are those who have begun the process. They must return the signatures of 20 registered voters in Westminster by Aug. 12 in order to get on the ballot.

According to the Westminster City Clerk’s office, three potential city council candidates have also “pulled papers.” They are Mark Laurence, Tony Luong and incumbent councilman Sergio Contreras.

In Garden Grove, heading toward its first by-district elections, three hats are in the ring so far. According to the city clerk’s office, Albert Ayala is seeking the mayor’s spot. In District 2, Patricia LaCroix is the first candidate, and in District 6, it’s Rickk Montoya.

In Huntington Beach, there are two council candidates so far. Amory Hansen and Patrick Brendan have taken out nomination papers. As of Tuesday morning, no one had taken papers for the posts of city clerk and city attorney.

For the Garden Grove Unified School District, also launching a new era of by-district elections, the first hopeful is Walter Muneton for trustee area three. In the Huntington Beach Union High School District, the first trustee candidate is Michael H. Simons.