Several candidates this week filed papers to qualify for a local election run.

The qualifying period for the May 20 General Primary for candidates seeking local elected office began at 9 a.m. Monday and continues until noon Friday.

Those filing paperwork to qualify in Dawson County so far include:

• Board of Commissioners, District 1: Kevin Ellison, Corey Gutherie.

• Board of Commissioners, District 3: Jimmy Hamby (incumbent).

• Board of Education, At Large: Will Wade (incumbent).

• Board of Education, District 3: Karen Armstrong.

Prospective candidates must file a notice of candidacy, an affidavit and pay qualifying fees. The fees constitute 3 percent of the salary for each office plus supplements.

The fee is $288 for Board of Commissioners posts; $72 for Board of Education At Large post; and $117 Board of Education District posts.

Candidates must meet a number of qualifications to run, including being a registered voter, not being a convicted felon, not owing any taxes and being a resident of the county.

Candidates file for qualification at the Dawson County Board of Elections and Registration Office, located at 96 Academy Avenue, Dawsonville.

A second qualifying period for independent candidates will be held June 23-27 at the same location.

Qualifying is also being held this week for district, state and judicial offices. Those candidates must file elsewhere and include the following offices:

District Attorney, State House Districts 7 and 9, State Senate District 51 and two Superior Court judges.

Candidates are also qualifying for the following state and federal offices this week:

Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, U.S. Senator, 9th Congressional U.S. Representative, Commissioner of Insurance and Safety, State School Superintendent, Governor, Commissioner of Labor, Lieutenant Governor and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.

DCN regional staff contributed to this story.