PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Are you planning to run for public office this year? Or perhaps just vote?

Either way, you might want to look at the official 2010 "How to Run for Office" guide.

Released Monday by Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, the 32-page guide provides an overview of important dates as the year unfolds.

The first is April 1, the deadline for candidates to change their party affiliation.

Candidates must announce their intention to run for office by filing candidacy declarations from June 28 to June 30. Then, from July 7 through 16, they must collect enough signatures from eligible voters to be placed on the ballot.

People who want to vote in the Sept. 14 state primary must register by Aug. 14. Those who want to vote in the Nov. 2 general election must register by Oct. 2.

A press release from Mollis' office states that this year's races range from the local, such as town councils and school committees, to statewide offices such as governor, to a pair of federal offices: Rhode Island's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The guide is posted online. Hard copies are available upon request.