On or before February 1 of each year in which a general primary, nonpartisan primary, or general election is to be held, the governing authority of each county is to fix and publish a qualifying fee for each county office to be filled in the upcoming primary or election. Information on filing a pauper's affidavit in lieu of paying the qualifying fee can be found under the "Filing as a Pauper" tab. 

Where to Qualify

Where you go to qualify depends on the candidate method you have chosen. Candidates for state level offices will qualify at the Secretary of State's office in Atlanta while candidates for county level offices will qualify locally. Political party candidates for county offices will qualify with their local political party. Independent, political body, and write-in candidates for local offices will qualify with the Qualifying Officer at the Board of Elections and Registration. Candidates for local nonpartisan offices will also qualify with the Qualifying Officer at the Board of Elections and Registration. Information regarding the qualifications and disqualifications for the various elective offices in Georgia can be found here. 

Candidate Types

Independent 

An independent candidate is a candidate that is unaffilitated with any political party or body and includes candidates in a special election for a partisan office for which there has not been a prior special primary. Qualifying information specific to independent candidates can be found under the "Independent Candidate" tab. 

Political Party

A political party candidate is a candidate that is affiliated with a political party. A political party is defined in the Georgia Elections Code as:

"Any political organization which at the preceeding:

A) Gubernatorial election nominated a candidate for Governor and whose candidate for Governor at such election polled at least 20% of the total vote cast in the state for Governor; or

B) Presidential election nominated a candidate for President of the United States and whose candidate for presidential elector at such election polled at least 20% of the total vote cast in the nation for that office." O.C.G.A. 21-2-2(25).

Qualifying information specific to political party candidates can be found under the "Political Party Candidate" tab.

Political Body

A political body candidate is a candidate that is affliliated with a political body. A political body is any political organization other than a political party. Qualifying information specific to political body candidates can be found under the "Political Body Candidate" tab. 

Write-In 

A write-in candidate is a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot and so must written on the ballot by the voters. Only certified write-in candidates are allowed to take office in the event that they receive a majority vote. Qualifing Information specific to nonpartisan offices can be found under the "Write-In Candidate" tab. 

Nonpartisan Offices

Qualifing Information specific to nonpartisan offices can be found under the "Nonpartisan Qualifying" tab. 

Office                                                Current Term Expires                             Qualifying Fee

Board of Commissioners Districts 1 & 2                      12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA

Board of Education, Districts 3, 4 & 5                          12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA

Probate Court Judge                                                        12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA

Sheriff                                                                                 12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA

Clerk of Superior Court                                                   12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA  

Tax Commissioner                                                            12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA

Coroner                                                                               12/31/2024                                                                       $TBA

Qualifying for the 2024 Election Cycle

The Special Election to fill a vacancy - Board of Commissioners District 3 qualifying fees are $234. Qualifying is Sept 18, 19(9am-5pm) and 20th(9am-12pm) at the Board of Elections, 117 Putnam Drive, Suite D, Eatonton, GA 31024

For the November 7, 2023 Special Election, all candidates will qualify at the Board of Elections.