It’s expected to be a busy year for elections nationwide and in Forsyth County, and qualifying dates and times for state and local elections have been announced.

From 9 a.m. Monday, March 2 through noon on Friday, March 6, both nonpartisan and political party candidates will qualify for the general primary, which will be held on Tuesday, May 19 after three weeks of advance voting.

“Those who wish to be a candidate in the May 19 nonpartisan general election or an independent candidate in the Nov. 3 General Election will qualify with the voter registrations and elections staff,” said Mandi Smith, director of the county’s director of voter registrations and elections.

“Those who wish to qualify as a Political Party Candidate for a Forsyth County Office must do so with the Forsyth County Democratic Party or the Forsyth County Republican Party.  Fees are paid to the organization with whom the candidate qualifies.”

The general primary will consist of non-partisan races and selecting party candidates for the Nov. 3 general election.

Below are the county offices up for election and their fees. All races except the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education, which are elected by-district, are countywide.

-          Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Districts 2, 4 and 5:  $1,102.43

-          Forsyth County Board of Education Districts 3, 4 and 5:  $252.

-          Sheriff: $2,597.17.

-          Clerk of Court: $2,533.76.

-          Tax Commissioner: $2,533.76.

-          Coroner: $1,590.

-          Probate Judge: $2,533.76.

-          Chief Magistrate: $2,533.76.

-          Chief Judge, State Court: $5,081.27

Though the District Attorney, which has a qualifying fee of $3,674.20 and Superior Court Judge, $3,863.70, races are also elected countywide but candidates for those offices register with the Secretary of State’s office.

For state legislative seats – state House of Representative Districts 9, 22, 24, 25 and 26 and state Senate Districts 27 and 51 – qualifying fees are $400.

The Forsyth County Voter Registrations and Elections office is located at 1201 Sawnee Drive. For more information, go to ForsythCo.com/Departments-Offices/Voter-Registrations-Elections or call 770-781-2118.