COVINGTON, Ga. - With campaign season gearing up and candidates working toward primary elections coming in the spring, the Newton County Board of Commissioners set the the county's 2020 qualifying fees at its Jan. 7 meeting.

The county's four constitutional officers, commission chairman and BOC District 1,3 and 5 seats are slated to be on the ballot this year. 

Candidates will also vie for two board of education seats, along with the county coroner position. 

Here is a list of the 2020 fees approved by commissioners:

           POSITION                                                                           QUALIFYING FEE

Clerk of Superior Court                                                            $2,173.02                                                 
Sheriff                                                                                           $2,424.58
Tax Commissioner                                                                    $2,173.02
Probate Judge                                                                            $2,173.02
County Commissioner Chairman                                        $2,667.89
County Commissioner District 1, 3, 5                                  $533.58
Coroner                                                                                       $1,050.00
County Board of Education District 2, 4                             $216.00                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

County residents who would like to run for office but are unable to pay a qualifying fee have another option. County officials said citizens can qualify by filing an affidavit and obtaining names on a petition.   

"If a candidate is unable to pay the qualifying fee  because of the financial burden, the candidate can instead file a Pauper's Affidavit and Petition.  The Pauper’s Affidavit affirms the candidate’s poverty or inability to pay the qualifying fee.  Candidates that file a pauper’s affidavit are also required to circulate a paupers petition containing signatures of at least 1% of the registered voters eligible to vote in the last election for the office.  The Newton County Elections and Registration office can provide the number of required signatures for the office being sought," the Newton County Board of Elections and Registration said in a statement.

According to the Elections and Registration Office, the affidavit is available at  https://sos.ga.gov/admin/uploads/Paupers_Affidavit_and_Petition.pdf. The county office can also provide copies.