Qualifying beings Monday for May election

THOMASVILLE- 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 Thomas County Elections Office, 1402 E. Jackson St. in Thomasville, from 9 a.m. Monday through noon Friday. The office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week to accommodate early voting in the presidential preference primary.

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 R. Carlton Powell: $2,513

— Clerk of Superior Court, currently held by Randa D. Wharton: $2,016

— Tax Commissioner, currently held by Alicia Hester: $2,016

— Coroner, currently held by Tim Coram: $998

— Solicitor General, currently held by Andrew W. Pope: $1,412

— County Commission Districts 2, 4, 6 & 8, currently held by Moses E. Gross, Mark NeSmith, Wiley E. Grady, and Zippy T. Vonier, respectively: $216

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:

— Probate Judge, currently held by Judge Vickie Burnette: $2,016

— Chief Magistrate, currently held by S. Andrew Seery: $2,056

— State Court Judge, currently held by Judge Mark E. Mitchell: $1,862

— County School Board Districts 2,4 & 6, currently held by Mark NeSmith, Chris Hayes, and Dan Stewart, respectively: $48.

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 Thomas County include:

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

— Georgia House Districts 172 and 173, currently held by Chas Cannon and Darlene Taylor, 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