Qualifying begins Monday for May election

Kevin C. Hall, The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
·3 min read

Feb. 29—VALDOSTA — Even as voters are casting ballots to nominate presidential candidates, candidates for local and state offices are preparing to qualify next week for an election in May.

Qualifying will take place at the Lowndes County Elections Office, 2808 N. Oak St. in Valdosta, from 9 a.m. Monday through noon Friday. The office will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week to accommodate early voting in the presidential preference primary.

Qualifying fees must be paid in cash or by check or money order; credit cards are not accepted and payment must be by exact change, a Lowndes County elections official said Wednesday.

Partisan offices

Several local offices will be decided on a partisan basis: On May 21, candidates running as Republicans will face one another and candidates running as Democrats will face one another; the winners of each of those contests will face off in the November General Election. Candidates for these offices must choose a party affiliation when they qualify, and voters will be able to vote for only the candidates of one party on May 21.

Local partisan offices up for election this year and their qualifying fees include:

— Sheriff, currently held by Ashley Paulk: $2,891.46.

— Clerk of Superior Court, currently held by Beth Greene: $2,591.46.

— Tax Commissioner, currently held by Rodney V. Cain: $2,591.46.

— Coroner, currently held by Austin Fiveash: $2,227.23.

— Solicitor General, currently held by Justo Cabral: $3,884.19.

— County Commission Chairman, currently held by Bill Slaughter: $600.

— County Commission Districts 1 and 5, currently held by Joyce E. Evans and Clay Griner, respectively: $450.

Nonpartisan offices

In nonpartisan races, voters can choose among all qualified candidates without regard to party affiliation. The winner of the May 21 election will win the position. They will not have to face anyone in the November election, although they will not take office until January.

Local nonpartisan offices up for election this year and their qualifying fees include:

— State Court Judge (2), currently held by John K. Edwards and Ellen Golden: $4,073.71.

— Probate Court Judge, currently held by Detria Carter Powell: $2,591.46.

— Chief Magistrate Judge, currently held by Elizabeth Cleveland: $2,643.29.

— County Board of Education Districts 4, 5, 6 and 7, currently held by Ronnie Weeks, Robert McGeehan, Amy Stecz and Eddie Smith, respectively: $50.

State and federal offices

There are also state and federal offices that are up for election this year. Candidates for partisan offices will qualify with their parties in Atlanta; nonpartisan candidates will qualify at the Secretary of State's offices in Tifton, Macon or Atlanta.

Offices up for election that have particular relevance for Lowndes County include:

— U.S. House of Representatives, District 8, currently held by Austin Scott.

— Georgia Senate, District 8, currently held by Russ Goodman.

— Georgia House Districts 174, 175, 176 and 177, currently held by John Corbett, John La Hood, James Burchett, and Dexter Sharper, respectively.

— Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney, currently held by Brad Shealey.

— Southern Judicial Circuit Judge, currently held by Richard Cowart.

For more information about state and federal qualifying, visit the Secretary of State's office website at https://sos.ga.gov/elections-division-georgia-secretary-states-office.