The presidential candidates had their time in Georgia back in February; local politics starts heating up today as candidate qualifying begins for the July 15 primary.

Candidate qualifying begins at 9 this morning and continues through noon Friday across Georgia. During this time, candidates may file declaration of candidacy/notice of candidacy forms for the primary, according to the Hall County Board of Elections.

Races up for grabs in the primary include not only seats in the U.S. Congress and state General Assembly, but a slew of statewide offices, judgeships, school board and county commission seats and other local government elected offices.

Qualifying fees vary depending upon the office, but are based on 3 percent of the base salary for the position, as outlined by state law.

Qualifying sites for local races vary by county across Georgia and may be coordinated by probate judges or political party officials.

In Hall County, qualifying for Democratic candidates will take place at the Hall County Board of Elections Office, 2285 Browns Bridge Road, Suite 2, Gainesville. Qualifying for Republican candidates will take place at the Stanley Firm, 112 Academy St. NE, Gainesville.

Qualifying for state offices, including superior court judge and district attorney, takes place at the Secretary of State’s office in Atlanta.

Qualifying for nonpartisan races, such as some judgeships, will be June 23 through June 27.

Those who want to vote in the July 15 primary must register to vote by June 16. For more information about voter registration, contact the Hall County Board of Elections and registrars office at 770-531-6945.

If a run-off is necessary after the July 15 general primary election, it would be held Aug. 5.