Georgia Secretary of State Press Office

Secretary of State Handel Announces the Close of Candidate Qualifying

Atlanta—Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today accepted lists of qualified candidates running in the General Primary from the Georgia Republican Party and the Democratic Party of Georgia. The candidates qualified with the state parties last week and qualifying closed at noon on Friday, May 2.

Secretary Handel will send a certified list of the federal and state candidates to each county elections superintendent.

A list of qualified candidates can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/qualifyingindex.asp.

The qualified candidates will compete in the July 15, 2008 General Primary Election. The winners of those contests will then compete in the November 4, 2008 General Election.

Qualifying for non-partisan, independent and political body candidates will be held Monday, June 23 beginning at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. in the Secretary of State’s Elections Division Office. As outlined by Georgia law, the qualifying fee will be paid to the Secretary of State. Non-partisan, independent and political body candidates do not have a primary but qualify for placement on the General Election ballot.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.

For Immediate Release May 5, 2008	FFI Contact: Matt Carrothers Director of Media Relations 404-656-4269 Candidates with qualifying inquiries should contact the Elections Division at 404-656-2871

Secretary of State Handel Announces the Close of Candidate Qualifying Atlanta—Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today accepted lists of qualified candidates running in the General Primary from the Georgia Republican Party and the Democratic Party of Georgia. The candidates qualified with the state parties last week and qualifying closed at noon on Friday, May 2. Secretary Handel will send a certified list of the federal and state candidates to each county elections superintendent. A list of qualified candidates can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/qualifyingindex.asp. The qualified candidates will compete in the July 15, 2008 General Primary Election. The winners of those contests will then compete in the November 4, 2008 General Election. Qualifying for non-partisan, independent and political body candidates will be held Monday, June 23 beginning at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. in the Secretary of State’s Elections Division Office. As outlined by Georgia law, the qualifying fee will be paid to the Secretary of State. Non-partisan, independent and political body candidates do not have a primary but qualify for placement on the General Election ballot. Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.