By Tara DeRock Mahoney
Senior Staff Writer

County officials are moving forward with the qualification of candidates for Morgan County commissioner following the death of long-term board member Walter Curtis Butler, Jr. last week. Residents wishing to run for that District 1 seat must qualify on August 18 or 19, or on August 20 by noon; the new commissioner will be chosen through a Special Election on November 4, during the nation’s General Election.

Commissioners approved the timeline during their regular meeting Tuesday.

“We’re up against a tight deadline,” said county election supervisor Bobby Howington. “The absolute last day to get names in to the state for the General Election is August 20, that afternoon,” he said. “We will have qualifying for the minimum amount of time required by law, two and a half days,” said Howington.

If the county fails to submit qualified candidates for the election on November 4, another election could not be held, by law, until the 3rd Tuesday in March of 2009.

“We would be without a county commissioner for eight months, if that happened,” said Howington.
The qualifying fee will be $144. Persons who are not currently registered to vote who wish to do so in the General Election and Special Election must do so by the close of business on October 6, 2008. Advance voting will be held October 27-31; if required, a run-off election will be held on December 2, 2008.