Ellington

Any Georgian seeking public office has until midday Friday to file necessary paperwork and pay registration fees if their name is to appear on the July 31 primary ballot.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp has declared that 9 a.m. May 23 is the earliest day for a political party or non-partisan candidate to file a Declaration of Candidacy to have their name placed on the ballot.

Walker County administrative assistant Danielle Montgomery said she will post a list of all qualified candidates online at www.walkercountyelections.com on Friday afternoon.

Political party candidates are those whose names will appear on either the Democrat or Republican primary ballot.

If only one candidate applies for the party primary, by default their name will appear on the general election ballot in November. If more than one candidate qualifies for offices on the party’s primary ballot, the winner of the July 31 election will advance to the general election.

If there is no clear-cut winner during the primary, run-off elections will be held on Aug. 21 to determine which candidate will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

In Walker County the only non-partisan election will be for State Court Judge, according to Montgomery.

An all-candidates forum will be hosted by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 19. All local candidates who qualified for the July 31 primary election will be invited to participate.

These local races include but are not limited to: County Commissioner, Sheriff, Georgia House of Representatives District 1, Tax Commissioner, Probate Judge, Magistrate Judge, Walker County School Board District 1 and District Attorney.

This forum will take place at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring beginning at 6:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend at no charge.

The voter registration deadline for the July 31 primary election is Monday, July 2.