The 2010 election season in Hawaii officially begins today when candidates can start filing for office.

The state Office of Elections says nomination papers are available on its Web site, hawaii.gov/elections. The papers can be filed at the Office of Elections in Pearl City or at county offices throughout Hawaii.

The candidate filing deadline is July 20.

This year, Hawaii voters will be choosing a new governor because Gov. Linda Lingle is barred by term limits from seeking another four years in office.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is leaving Congress to campaign for governor. He is expected to be challenged in the Democratic primary by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona hopes to succeed Lingle.