Qualifying re-opens for Aragon

Rockmart election called off with only incumbents on the ballot for 2015

Changes to local elections have come about for the November ballot following the qualifying session the first week of September.

Those include a new qualifying session for an open Aragon seat, and no municipal elections for the City of Rockmart.

Polk County Director of Elections Karen Garmon explained that because no one qualified for the seat being left open by Hunter Spinks in Aragon, a second round of qualifying

will be opened just for that seat.

Judge Michael Murphy signed the order Wednesday for the qualifying to re-open, Garmon said.

That session will take place from Monday, Sept. 21 through Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 22, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 23.

Paperwork and a $36 qualifying fee will be required for candidates who wish to run for the seat.

For more information about qualifying for the Aragon City Council, call the Polk County Board of Elections at 770-7492103.

Should Aragon only receive one candidate during the qualifying session, they will only hold an election for the city’s Sunday alcohol sales referendum on the November ballot.

Meanwhile, Rockmart residents won’t have to go to the polls this year for their municipal elections.

Because incumbent candidates Steve Miller for Mayor and James Payne for Ward 2 and Rick Stone for Ward 5 will remain on the city council, Garmon said the election has been canceled. All three candidates will retain their seats unopposed when their new terms begin on Jan. 1, 2016.