Erica Austin got to the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office nearly two hours before doors opened Monday morning, securing the first place in line. “This shows that I am dedicated to the office I want to hold, to show the kids that I'm here for them,” said Austin, who is running for District 186 School Board from Subdistrict 6 in the April 6 consolidated election. About 30 people, some, like Austin, seeking office for the first time, and others running for reelection were in line when those doors opened at 8:30 a.m. Candidates for school board and the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority, which oversees operations of the Bank of Springfield Convention Center, along with a number of other county-wide municipal races and board races filed at the clerk’s office while others, like Springfield Park District candidates, could start filing at their jurisdictional offices also on Monday.