Last week, local and state candidates qualified for the Republican and Democratic primaries set for May 22. Advance voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 through May 18, with Saturday voting held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12. Many local elections could be decided in the primary because no Democrats qualified for the positions, though a second qualifying period for independent candidates will be held June 25 through July 10 at the local board of elections and registration office on Academy Avenue. A candidate would need to secure 50 percent plus one vote in the primary to avoid a runoff.