MOULTRIE — Even as Georgians are casting early ballots for presidential nominations, election officials are gearing up for state and local contests that will take place in May.

Candidates must qualify next week for positions that will be up for election May 21.

The hours for qualifying will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Non-partisan offices

The non-partisan offices that are up for reelection include:

— Probate judge, currently held by Wes Lewis.

— Judge for State Court, currently held by Judge Richard Kent.

— Board of Education members for Districts 2, 3, and 6, currently held by Jon Schwalls, Mary Beth Watson and Kevin Sumner, respectively.

Qualifying for non-partisan offices must be done at the Probate Court, in the Colquitt County Courthouse, at 9 S. Main St., Office 108.

Partisan offices

The partisan offices that are up for local reelection include:

— Sheriff, currently held by Rod Howell.

— Clerk of court, currently held by Lynn Purvis.

— Tax commissioner, currently held by Cindy Harvin.

— Solicitor for State Court, currently held by Keith F. Allen.

— Coroner, currently held by Verlyn Brock.

— County commissioners for Districts 2, 4 and 6, currently held by Chris Hunnicutt, Mike Boyd and Johnny Hardin, respectively.

To run for a partisan office, an individual must choose to qualify either as a Republican or a Democrat.

Qualifying for Republicans will take place at the Tax Shop, 16 S. Main St. Qualifying for Democrats will take place at the Probate Court.

State, federal offices

A few state and federal offices that affect Colquitt County will also be up for election this year:

— State House District 172, currently held by Chas Cannon.

— State Senate District 11, currently held by Sam Watson.

— A Southern Judicial Circuit judgeship, currently held by Richard M. Cowart.

— U.S. House of Representatives, District 8, currently held by Austin Scott.

Qualifying for the state and federal races will be done in Atlanta.

Presidential primary

On March 12, in an unrelated election, Georgians will vote to help determine the presidential nominees for the Republican and Democratic parties.

Voters can cast their early ballot in person at the Colquitt County Courthouse Annex, on the second floor, in the Commissioners Meeting Room. Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, now through March 8.

Residents will need to choose the political party ballot, either Republican or Democrat, that they want to vote on before they can cast their vote in the presidential primary election.