After a slow start to the political season, candidate's announcements have come fast and furious the past couple of weeks and official qualifying will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

Local seats
Qualifying for local seats, including board of commissioners, board of education, clerk of superior court, county coroner, county probate judge, sheriff and tax commissioner is handled by the local Democratic and Republican parties.

The Newton County Democratic Party will host qualifying at The Lindsey Firm, 1182 Washington St., Covington. For more information call Chairperson Sarah Todd at (404) 408-7268.

You may also bring a completed declaration of candidacy.

The Newton County Republican Party will host qualifying at 1107 Church St. (Wood's Office Supply) by Square Perk on the square in Covington. For more information call Chairperson Delia Fleming at (770) 364-4429.

Candidates should have a signed affidavit declaring their candidacy, which can be found online at the secretary of
state's website or picked up from the local board of election and local political parties. Candidates should also have checks for the qualifying fee made payable to appropriate local political party.

Once qualifying ends, the parties are required to post the full list of candidates in the board of elections office, 1113 Usher St., Covington.

Fleming said the Wood's Office Supply store will be the party's headquarters for the next six months. The party is hosting a ribbon cutting at the location May 24, and will have a grand opening celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday to which all candidates are invited. She said the headquarters will have candidate brochures, handouts and yard signs.

Non-partisan state seats
Qualifying for non-partisan state offices, including superior court judge and district attorney, will take place at the Secretary of State's Elections Division, Suite 802, West Tower at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta. Call (404) 656-2871 for details.

Partisan state offices
Qualifying for partisan state and federal offices, including U.S. representative, public service commissioner, state senator, state representative, will take place at the state capitol from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

For Republicans, qualifying will be held in the house chamber all three days. For Democrats, qualifying will be held in the senate chamber the first two days and in the house chamber Friday.