Qualifying begins next week for local elections in the May Primary and General Election. Qualifying runs from Monday, March 2, through Friday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. According to Georgia law, qualifying fees must be 3% of the monthly salary that Board members are paid. In January, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved the qualifying fees for this year’s election cycle for two County Commission races and two Franklin County Board of Education races. Commission Chair Courtney Long announced the County Commission race qualifying fees. Two seats are open on the Board of Commissioners this year. District 3, which is currently held by Elizabeth Busby, and District 4, which is currently held by Josh Smith. There are three Board of Education seats open this year, and Long also announced the qualifying fees for those Posts. Up for re-election this year on the Board of Education: Randall Gailey, Post 3; Alan Mitchell, Post 4; and Robin Cato, Post 5. Qualifying in Franklin County will take place at the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration Office in Carnesville, GA. Hart County Commissioners have approved t
