Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in the City of Clarkston on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, to fill the unexpired term of the Mayor; said term expires December 31, 2021.
Voting will take place at the two precincts: Clarkston First Baptist Church Family Life Center at 4007 Church Street, and the Clarkston Community Center at 3701 College Ave, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any person who is a resident of the City of Clarkston and who is registered at least thirty (30) days prior to this election with the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections as an elector within the City of Clarkston shall be eligible to vote in this election. Deadline for voter registration is October 5, 2020.
Persons wishing to qualify for this election may file a Notice of Candidacy with the Municipal Election Superintendent at Clarkston City Hall Annex, 1055 Rowland Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, beginning on Monday, August 10, 2020 to Wednesday, August 12, 2020. The Qualifying fee for Mayor is $450.
Application for absentee ballots may be made by mail or in person to the Absentee Ballot Clerk, DeKalb County Elections Division, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032, 404-298-4020.
This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Official Code of Georgia, as amended, pertaining to municipal elections, this July 1, 2020.
The qualifications to run for Clarkston office include:
- Candidate must be 18 years old,
- A Citizen of the United States
- A bona fide resident of the City of Clarkston for a continuous period of at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of the election
- Must have no debts outstanding against them in favor of the city, county or state.
- The candidate must be registered and qualified to vote in the municipal elections for the City of Clarkston and continue this qualification throughout their term of office.
Candidate must continue to reside in the City of Clarkston during their period of service;
Note: Qualifying period will be Monday, August 10, 2020 - Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 9:00am - 4:30 pm (daily).
Due to Covid, office doors are locked and only 1 (one) person at a time, will be permitted entry for Qualifying. Masks are Required. Candidates are encouraged to have their forms pre-filled and to also submit the DOI form with Qualifying Form. Must have Photo ID to verify as Clarkston Registered Voter and payment.
The election type for Mayor is majority vote. You must declare the office you are running for when you qualify as a candidate.
Download the Qualifying Form
Download Qualifying Packet
For questions or for more information please contact Tracy Ashby, City Clerk, email tashby@cityofclarkston.com
Mandatory Newly Elected Officials Training
State law (36-45-1-9) requires that all candidates elected must attend the Newly Elected Officials Institute offered through GMA and the University of Georgia. The Georgia Municipal Association will hold this 2-day training and offers two dates in 2021. Dates will be provided in November.
Campaign Finance and Required Filings/Reports
If you are planning to run for office and accept campaign funds, contact the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, as there are forms each candidates must fill out before campaign funds can be accepted. There are also Campaign Disclosure reports to fill out. These reports are required by the Ethics in Government Act of the State of Georgia. For any questions please Contact the State Campaign Finacne Office. Visit their website for important candidate requirements and information.
Brief Overview of Candidate Filing Responsibilities
The Forms DOI, CCDR and PFD and MUST BE filed with the CITY, All other forms are sent by the Candidate to the State Campaign Finance Office address/email/number as indicated on the Form.
Declaration of Intent to Accept Campaign Contributions (DOI) – Mandatory, candidate must file DOI, File Form with the Locale Filing Officer (CITY) before collecting campaign contributions
Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR) – Mandatory, must be filed according to appropriate schedule (see election year, non-election year schedule, File Form with the Locale Filing Officer (CITY)
Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PFDS) – Mandatory, must be filed shortly after qualifying as a candidate (within 15 days after qualifying for most candidates, within 7 days after qualifying for candidates for statewide office), File Form with the Locale Filing Officer (CITY)
PIN application (CCDR and PFDS) –necessary to receive Filer ID, for E-filing CCDRs and PFDS(State Elections), should be filed as early as possible to ensure all CCDRs and PFDS can be filed online, Form Filed DIRECTLY to State Campaign Finance
Registration of Campaign Committee (RC) Optional, only if candidate wants a campaign committee, Form Filed DIRECTLY to State Campaign Finance
Choosing the Option of Separate Accounting (COOSA) Optional, only if candidate wants to collect contributions for more than one campaign at a time, Form Filed DIRECTLY to State Campaign Finance
Two Business Day report of Contributions Received – (TBD) Mandatory, if candidate receives contributions of $1,000.00 or more between date of last CCDR and the date of the election, must report within two days of receipt. Form Filed DIRECTLY to State Campaign Finance
CAMPAIGN RECORD KEEPING – mandatory, candidate or campaign committee must keep records of all contributions and expenditures