Nonpartisan qualifying to begin Monday

Qualifying for nonpartisan political races starts Monday in Columbia County.

//

The qualifying period will last until noon Friday and is necessary for those wishing to run for a seat on the Columbia County Board of Education or for judge of Superior Court.

The open school board seats include those for District 2 and District 3.

District 2 board member Mickie Blackburn announced in February that she won't seek re-election. Richmond County educator Lee Benedict and attorney Carl Schluter have announced that they intend to qualify for the seat. Both filed intent cards with the Columbia County Board of Elections office, which allows them to accept campaign contributions. District 3 incumbent Mike Sleeper said he will seek re-election.

Superior Court judges up for re-election are James Blanchard Jr., Wade Padgett and David Roper. Because their jurisdictions include Columbia, Richmond and Burke counties, candidates will have to qualify in Atlanta, said county Board of Elections Director Deborah Marshall.

Those wishing to qualify for school board seats can do so at the county Board of Elections office in the Evans Government Center. For information on qualifying, call (706) 868-3355.

Harlem will hold qualifying for mayor and two city council seats Aug. 23-25 at City Hall on North Louisville Street. Grovetown is not holding elections this year.

All non-partisan races will be decided in the Nov. 2 general election.