Qualifying for 2026 elections set to begin

By Eddie West Staff Writer

Celebrating the most beloved holiday of the year is on the minds of most residents this time of the year.

However, a select few are looking ahead to the 2026 election season when a number of full-time county offices, as well as county board of commissioner and school board seats, will be up for election.

With the county’s Republican and Democratic  Primary Election set for May, candidates can begin picking up qualifying papers as soon as December 22 (2025), just two days before Christmas Eve.

Whether running in the Republican Primary, Democratic Primary in May of 2026  or as an Independent in the August General Election (2026), the qualifying deadline is the same for all candidates, noon, February 19, 2026.

County offices up for election include: county mayor, trustee, sheriff, circuit court clerk, county clerk, register of deed, all 24 county commission seats and four school board seats.

The county’s Primary Election (for Democratic and Republican candidates only) will be held on May 5 (2026).

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