FAQ's

What is Qualifying?

Qualifying is the official process of having one’s name on the ballot. No candidate can official have their name on the ballot unless he or she fills out the necessary paperwork to qualify for a particular race.

How can one Qualify?

Ways in which a candidate can qualify: 

According to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-153, the two ways someone qualifying for a party nomination in a state or county primary are with a Declaration of Candidacy and Affidavit with Fee or a Paupers Petition and Affidavit. 

According to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-132(c), the two ways to qualify for a nonpartisan office are a Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit with Fee or a Paupers Petition and Affidavit  

What is a Non Partisan Office?

O.C.G.A. § 21-2-138 nonpartisan judicial offices  – O.C.G.A. § 21-2-139 Nonpartisan county judicial offices and consolidated governments.  These offices are usually judges, school board members, and offices of consolidated governments  

Who Qualifies Candidates?

O.C.G.A. § 21-2-132(c) – Any candidate wanting to file their notice of candidacy and affidavit to have their names placed on the nonpartisan election ballot, shall file with either the Secretary of State or Election Superintendent 

The election superintendent is responsible for qualifying candidates for nonpartisan elections.  For partisan elections qualifying is either conducted by the county executive parties or the Election Superintendent. 

When is Qualifying?

O.C.G.A. § 21-2-132(d) – Due to a code change during the 2017 session, there is ONLY one qualifying period for independent and political body candidates.  Independent and political body candidates will be qualifying the SAME time as everyone else, March 2-March 6, 2020. Those candidates are still required to follow O.C.G.A. § 21-2- 132(e), turn in the nomination petition “… no earlier than 9:00am on the fourth Monday in June immediately prior to the election and no later than 12:00 noon on the second Tuesday in July immediately prior to the election…”    

How much is Qualifying?  

O.C.G.A. § 21-2-131(a)(1)(A) – All qualifying fees should be fixed and published by February 1st by the Governing Authority. (Fees for 2020 will be posted on this website and on the Georgia Secretary of States website when they become available.  2019 Municipal qualifying fees are listed here)  

O.C.G.A. § 21-2-131(a)(1)(B) –  code section outlines where you can find the fees for: Clerk of Superior Court, Judge of Probate Court, Sheriff,Tax Commissioner, and Magistrate Judge  

The qualifying fees for ALL STATE & FEDERAL LEVEL offices is on the Secretary of State’s Website:  https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/information_for_candidates 

How do I become a candidate for a Municipal/ City of Brunswick Office?

The Glynn County Board of Elections conducts all elections at the request of the City of Brunswick and to perform all functions imposed by such law upon the city commission with reference to any municipal election and perform such functions, including, but not limited to, voter registration, qualification of candidates, determining challenges to the qualification of candidates, designation of polling places, hearing of election contests, and every other function essential to the election process.  Qualification documents are available from our office.  However, Municipal candidates will submit their campaign finance and declaration documents to the City Clerk's office.  Click here for the City Clerk's website and contact information.

More information about Municipal election code can be found here: