The Board of County Commissioners is required by O.C.G.A. 21-2-131, to fix and publish qualifying fees for county offices not later than February 1 of any year in which a general primary, nonpartisan election, or general election is to be held. The qualifying fees for the offices of clerk of superior court, judge of probate court, sheriff, tax commissioner, and magistrate shall be 3% of the minimum base salary, specified in state law for each county based on population. The base which appears in the Code should not be adjusted to reflect supplements, cost-of-living increases, or longevity increases. For the offices of members of the county governing authority, or Board of Commissioners, the qualifying fee is 3% of the base salary established by local Act of the General Assembly, and is not adjusted to reflect training, supplements, or cost-of-living increases.
| County Office | Total Gross Salary for 2025 | 3% Qualifying Fee |
|---|---|---|
| County Commissioner | $5,638.55 | $169.16 |
| School Board Member | $2,100.00 | $63.00 |
Qualifying for the 2026 elections for partisan offices (Board of Commissioner) will begin at 9:00 am, Monday, March 2, 2026, and end Friday, March 6, 2026, at 12 noon with the respective political parties. Qualifying for nonpartisan offices (Board of Education) and independent candidates will be held Monday, March 2, 2026, at 9:00 am through Friday, March 6, 2026, at 12 noon in the Lee County Elections Office. For more information regarding the election process, contact the Board of Elections and Registration at (229) 759-6002.