Monday in Georgia marks the first day of qualifying for the May 2014 election primaries. Those wanting to run for one of the seven seats in Decatur County offices this November will have to qualify next week by the deadline Friday at noon.
The primaries — normally held in the summer — have moved to May this year.
There are 22 total elected positions in Decatur County and beginning Monday residents will have the opportunity to qualify for seven of them. These seats open for the election include three on the Decatur County School Board, three on the Decatur County Board of Commissioners and the office of solicitor general.
Officials with the Decatur County Board of Elections and Registration said those who wish to qualify for partisan seats would have to do so in a separate location from those seeking non-partisan positions.
The three school board seats and solicitor general qualifying forms can be found at the Decatur County Board of Elections and Registration office, located at the Decatur County Courthouse. Those seeking a position on the commission — all partisan positions — must do so with their registered party. Republicans can qualify at the Cleveland Law Firm, 113 West Water Street, Bainbridge. Democrats can qualify at the Decatur County Administration building.
These offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and open from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Within the Decatur County Board of Commissioners, Jan Godwin in District 1, Frank Loeffler in District 4 and Oliver Sellers in District 6 are up for re-election.
In early January, Godwin stated she would return for reelection, as did Sellers.
“We have come a long way and put in a lot of work for the county,” Sellers said. “But we still have a long way to go. We have a long ways to go to get the county in the right direction, so I will be running again.”
Godwin was appointed last year so she said this would be her first election.
Frank Loeffler stated Wednesday he was undecided as to whether he would run for reelection.
Within the Decatur County School Board, Randall Jones in District 2, Dr. Sydney Cochran of District 4 and Jackie Grubbs of District 6 are up for reelection.
Jones stated he would not return for the race.
Announcing his campaign Friday, Keith Lyle said he would run for Jones’ seat and plans to qualify next week.
Dr. Cochran indicated this week he would seek reelection while Grubbs said as of Thursday he remains undecided.