Qualifying for November election begins

Municipal elections this year will be held in November; but, qualifying is in two weeks. County offices alternate years and will hold elections next year.

In Avera, four seats are available -- three council seats currently held by Larry McGraw, Glenn Evans and Ronnie Hadden; and, the mayor's seat currently held by Tommy Sheppard. Qualifying will be held Monday, Aug.16, and Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Avera City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. The office will be open Wednesday, Aug 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Qualifying fees are $6 for mayor and $3 for a council seat. 

A general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the Avera Fire Station, 9436 Broad Street, Avera.

In Bartow, the mayor's and council's seats will be available. Qualifying fee for mayor is $35; for council is $35. Qualifying is at Bartow City Hall, 7849 Church Street Monday, Aug. 16; Tuesday, Aug. 17; Thursday, Aug. 19; and, Friday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Bartow City Hall is closed Wednesday. 

In Louisville, available seats will be those held currently by Jenny Smith, mayor; and three council members, Robert Dixon, Phil Pohill and Matt Hodges. Qualifying fee for mayor is $115; for council is $50. Qualifying is at Louisville City Hall, 1011 Peachtree Street, Louisville, Monday, Aug. 16, and Tuesday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon.

In Stapleton, council seats held by Lisa M. Cranford, Willie A Moss and Carol Smith will be available. Qualifying fee is $27. You may qualify at Stapleton City Hall Monday, Aug. 16; through Thursday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.    

In Wadley, available seats are those held by Harold Moore Jr., mayor; and, Council Members Randall Jones, Izell Mack and John Maye. Qualifying fee for mayor is $180 and $144 for council. Qualifying will be Monday, Aug. 16, through Friday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch.

In Wrens, three council seats are available and are held by Stephanie Hannah, Edward Rabun and Michelle Wetherford-Usry. Qualifying is Monday, Aug. 16, through Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

The last day to register to vote in the November general election is Monday, Oct. 4.

See the qualifying schedule for Edgehill, Gibson and Mitchell next week.