Candidate qualifying underway

Tuesday, school board member Larry Ballard (district 4) filed papers for his re-election bid.

On Thursday, local business owner Jacquelin Twiss qualified for the district 1 school board seat and former sheriff Joe Robinson qualified for the district 6 county commissioner.

According to elections supervisor Katie Ferm, no Democratic candidates have contacted her office in regards to seeking election.

Barrow County Republican Party chairman Ken Young expressed disappointment in the low turnout so far this week, but remained optimistic that more political hopefuls would file by the time the qualifying period ends.

Qualifying runs from 9 a.m. on Monday, April 26 though noon on Friday, April 30. Republicans may qualify at Homeland Realty located at 147 West Athens Street in Winder. Those seeking to run on the Democratic ticket may qualify at the Barrow County Elections Office located in the Barrow County Administrative Annex at 233 E. Broad St. in Winder.

Other races on the July 20 primary ballot will include the 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. John Linder.

As of Wednesday morning, Clay Cox, Ronnie Grist, Jody Hice and Tom Parrott, all Republicans, had signed up to run for the vacant seat.

For the State Senate District 47 seat, which represents Barrow County, Kelly Gary and Shane Coley had both qualified as Republicans. On Thursday, republican Frank Ginn and democrat Tim Riley also qualified.

Incumbent Terry England has been the lone candidate to sign up for State Representative seat 108 while incumbent Tommy Benton has been the only person to qualify for State Representative seat 31.

At the state level, voters will choose a new governor and lieutenant governor. Other state races include secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of insurance, state school superintendent, commissioner of labor and two public service commission seats.

The primary election is set for Tuesday, July 20. If a run-off is necessary it will be held on Tuesday, August 10.

The general election will be held on November 2, with a run-off, if necessary, set for November 30.

The November 2 general election will include several non-partisan judicial seats, proposed constitutional amendments, proposed statewide referenda and other questions/issues.