[ March 02, 2026 ] The Pickens County Board of Elections and local political parties have announced the dates and locations for candidate qualifying ahead of the 2026 Primary Election, which will be held on May 19th.

*** UPDATE ON QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ***

County Commission – District 1 (West)
Josh Tippens

Board of Education – Post 2
Nick Weaver
Steve Lowe

Board of Education – Post 3
Brian Cleghorn
Danielle Phelps

Board of Education – Post 5
Joe Wigington

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Qualifying for all listed local offices will take place during the state-mandated window from Monday, March 2nd through Friday, March 6th, 2026.

OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION
★ County Commissioner, District 1 (West)
★ County Board of Education - Post 2
★ County Board of Education - Post 3
★ County Board of Education - Post 5

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
Independent candidates must qualify directly with the Pickens County Board of Elections and Registration.

Location: 3100 Camp Road, Suite B, Jasper, GA 30143
Dates & Times: Monday, March 2nd - Thursday, March 5th from 9 am to 5 pm; Friday, March 6th from 9 am to 12 pm. (Note: The office will close for lunch each day from 12-1 pm).
Contact: For questions regarding independent qualifying, please call (706) 253-8781.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
Candidates running as Republicans must qualify with the Pickens County Republican Party.

Location: Pickens County Recreation Center, 1329 Camp Rd, Jasper, GA 30143
Dates & Times: Monday, March 2nd - Thursday, March 5th from 9 at to 5 pm; Friday, March 6th from 9 am to 12 pm.
Contact: Denise Owen, Pickens County GOP Chair, at 678-756-7084 or Chair.pcgop@gmail.com.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Any local candidate wishing to qualify as a Democrat must qualify with the local Democratic Party. While the Pickens County Democratic Party has not yet published their specific qualifying location or contact details, their qualifying period will also run from March 2nd through March 6th. Interested candidates should reach out to the Pickens County Board of Elections at (706) 253-8781 or contact the local Democratic Party directly at chair@pickensdemocrats.org. for exact requirements.

QUALIFYING FEES
$306 for Board of Commissioner candidates
$50 for Board of Education candidates
Payment must be made by cash, cashier's check, money order, or campaign check.