The qualifying period for the 2024 elections in Georgia is now underway. From March 4 through 8, residents interested in running for public office will be able to qualify. Qualifying for office will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 4, and run until 5 p.m. daily through Thursday, March 7. The period will then wrap up from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 8.
Before noon on Friday, March 8, all qualified candidates will be posted on the website. For more information on how to qualify for office, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.
The qualifying fee varies by office. A calculation error forced the Habersham County Commission to rescind a previous vote on qualifying fees and reset those fees for this year’s election.
Parties then have until 2 p.m. Friday, March 8, to post a list of all candidates who have qualified.
Public Information Officer Rob Moore indicated that specific details about Democratic Party and Republican Party qualifying, as well as nonpartisan qualifying, will be forthcoming.
Partisan Primaries and the Nonpartisan Election will be held on Tuesday, May 21. Any runoff elections will be held on Tuesday, June 18.
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
To vote in Georgia, residents must meet the following qualifications, according to the Secretary of State:
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a legal resident of Georgia and the county in which the ballot will be cast; and
• Be at least 18 years old to vote.
Those who are serving felony charges are not eligible to vote under Georgia law. However, anyone convicted of a felony will have his or her eligibility restored upon the completion of the prison sentence, parole or probation, and repayment of any fines associated with the felony conviction.
Those deemed mentally incompetent by a court also are not eligible to vote under Georgia law.
The deadline to register to vote in the May 21 Partisan Primaries / Nonpartisan Election is April 22.
