The deadline to file for Polk County offices is this Friday at noon.
Filing for this Novembers election has been slow, with only two commissioners filing for three open seats so far and three school board members filing for four open seats as of yesterday.
Four candidates so far have filed for the office of sheriff, including current sheriff Donald Hill (D), Nathan Shields (R), Gregg Osteen (R) and Dennis Bishop (R). Bishop was the most recent to file, having done so last Friday.
So far, Polk County Commissioner Ray Gasperson (D) has filed for re-election along with newcomer Ricky McFalls (D). The seats of Tommy Melton (unaffiliated) and Warren Watson (D) are also up for re-election. Melton will have until June to get petitions signed in order to run for re-election.
Incumbent school board members Geoff Tennant (Columbus), Judy Jackson (Coopers Gap) and Sherry Page (Green Creek) have also filed. The Tryon seat held by James Cowan is also open. Polk County Clerk of Court Charlene Owens has filed for re-election, with no challengers as of yesterday.
The deadline for residents to register or change affiliations is April 9, although registration can also be done during one-stop voting which begins on April 15 prior to a May 4 primary. The regular election will be held on Nov. 2.
Filing for office can be done at the Polk County Board of Elections Office, located on the second floor of the Womack building.
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