NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in the City of Clarkston on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to elect one (1) Council Member to the Clarkston City Council to fill a vacancy. The unexpired term of former Councilmember Awet Eyasu will conclude on December 31, 2027. Click here to download the Notice of Special Election.
Persons wishing to qualify for this election may file a Notice of Candidacy with the Municipal Election Superintendent at the Clarkston City Hall Annex, 1055 Rowland Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, beginning on Monday, July 22, 2024, to Friday, July 26, 2024, except during a daily lunchbreak from 12:00pm -1:00pm. The Qualifying fee for Council Member is $360.00. Click here to access the Qualifying Packet.
PUBLIC NOTICE FOR FIXING THE QUALIFYING FEES
In accordance with Section 21-2-131 of the Georgia Election Code and Rules of the State Election Board the governing authority of the municipality shall, not later than February 1 of the year of the general election, fix and publish a qualifying fee for each office to be filled in the upcoming election. Such fee shall be 3% of the total gross salary of the office. The qualifying fee for each City Council seat will be $360.00.
Under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-291. in the event there is no opposed candidate in a precinct in a Special or General Election, no Special or General Election shall be held in such precinct unless a write-in candidate has qualified as provided by law. The City of Clarkston will wait 7 days, the required period for any persons that published the required notification and affidavit to be considered a write-in candidate. If no write in candidate has qualified then the unopposed candidate shall be deemed to have voted for himself or herself and no election would need to be conducted.
The qualifications 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;
For questions or for more information please contact City Clerk, Tomika R. Mitchell, email tmitchell@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 Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia. The Georgia Municipal Association will hold a two-day training and offers two dates in 2025: Dates to be Determined.
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 Finance Office. Visit their website for important candidate requirements and information. Click Here for helpful FAQ on Reporting and Filing information for Campaign Forms.
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
Order Voter Registration Lists And Files
Voter List Information can be requested from the Secretary of States Office Click Here