The qualifying period for non-partisan elected offices is right around the corner, and the Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration wants to alert candidates of the May 25, noon deadline.

Candidates for the non-partisan seats of

State Court Judge of Rockdale County - fee $4,004.39
Board of Education, Post 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of Rockdale County - fee $75

will be able to qualify at the elections board office starting 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, until Friday, May 25.

Qualification will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, through Thursday, May 24, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday, May 25.

Candidates must qualify for the above offices at the Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office located at 1400 Parker Road, Lobby C, Conyers, Georgia 30094. The Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office can be reached at (770) 278-7333.

All candidates shall qualify for individual seats in accordance with all Georgia laws, including Georgia Election Code §21-2-132, and must also be a qualified elector of the County.

A qualified elector is any person at least 18 years of age who is a citizen of the United States, a legal resident of the State of Georgia, and who is registered to vote with the Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office.

All candidates may qualify for office by paying a Qualifying Fee of $4,004.39 for State Court Judge and $75 for Board of Education; or by filing a Qualifying Petition and Pauper’s Affidavit.

Each of the above seats carries a four-year term of office. Elections are nonpartisan and will be held at the same time as the General Statewide Primary Election on July 31, 2012, in the manner prescribed by law for nonpartisan elections.

Candidates for partisan races, such as Commission Chair, Post I Commissioner, Rockdale County Superior Court Judge, Rockdale County Magistrate Court Chief Judge, and Rockdale County Probate Judge must qualify with their respective county party.

The qualifying fees for the local partisan races are:

Commission Chairman - $3.137.29
Commissioner Post I - $751.68
Magistrate Court Judge - $2,034
Probate Court Judge -  $2,034
Clerk of Superior Court - $2,034
Tax Commissioner - $2,034
Sheriff - $2,347.42
Coroner - $573.49

For more information, contact the Rockdale Board of Elections/VR Office at 770-278-7333.