The Dade County Board of Elections has announced important dates and procedures for the 2026 election cycle, including qualifying periods, voting locations, and details for a special congressional election.
Qualifying for the General Primary Election will start at 9:00 a.m. on March 2, 2026, and end at noon on March 6, 2026. The primary itself is scheduled for May 19, with a runoff set for June 16 if necessary. The General Election will take place on November 3. Individuals interested in running for County Commissioner Districts 1 or 2 must pay a qualifying fee of $120.00. Those seeking School Board Member positions in Districts 1 or 2 have a qualifying fee of $18.00.
Candidates can qualify at the Dade County Administrative Building during regular business hours from Monday to Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Governor Brian Kemp has set March 10 as the date for a special election to fill the vacant seat in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District after the resignation of U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Green.
Advance voting for this special election will be available from February 16 through March 6 at the Dade County Administration Building’s Commission Room in Trenton. Voting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Sundays.
The deadline to register to vote in the special election is February 9, while absentee ballot requests must be made by February 27. Voters can check their status or request ballots online at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ or by contacting the elections office directly.
On Election Day, all precincts will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with locations including West Brow Community Center, New Salem Community Center, Wildwood Community Center, New Home Community Center, White Oak Baptist Church/Life Center, South Dade Community Center, and the Trenton Admin Building.
To serve as poll officers, individuals must be U.S. citizens aged sixteen or older who reside in or are employed by Dade County (or an adjoining county under certain conditions), and must be able to read, write, and speak English.
Special election daily results reported that as of February 21 there were sixteen mail ballots issued with one returned; no mail ballots were rejected or sent out for cure; no provisional ballots were issued; and five hundred twenty-nine people had voted early.
In related educational statistics from recent years, enrollment at Dade County schools increased slightly by about one-tenth of one percent during the 2022-23 school year. White students made up ninety-two percent of enrollment in that period (source), while multiracial students represented three percent (source). Hispanic students also accounted for three percent (source). Black students comprised about one percent (source), as did Asian students (source).
For further questions regarding any aspect of upcoming elections or qualifications required to run for office or serve as poll officers, residents may contact the Dade County Elections Office at (706)657-8170.
