Qualifying Deadline Coming Up for County Election is February 19

The qualifying deadline is drawing near for the Republican County Primary Election – the first party-called primary in Wayne County in recent history.

This is how the Republican County Primary will work. Any candidates who wish to run for office in the County General Election must qualify by Thursday, February 19th, 2026, at 12 noon. The qualifying deadline is the same for all county office candidates, regardless of their party affiliation. The Republican-called primary this year has changed the game for the county election – candidates wishing to run under the Republican banner must declare themselves as Republicans and will be on the ballot for the May 5th primary, narrowing the field of Republicans on the ballot for the County General Election on August 6th down to one. However, any candidates who qualify by February 19th who don’t wish to declare a Republican party affiliation will automatically be listed on the August ballot as Independents. (Little-known fact: there is no such thing as the Independent party. “Independent” simply covers candidates who choose not to declare affiliation with either the Republican or Democrat party.)

The Republican Primary sets up what may prove to be an unknown dynamic on the August ballot. The primary will reduce the field of Republican candidates for each county office down to only one. However, all candidates who qualify to be on the ballot but don’t declare themselves as Republican WILL BE on the August ballot. If all qualifying candidates declare themselves as Republican, the Primary Election will essentially decide the election.

County offices on the ballot in the Republican County Primary Election on May 5th and the subsequent County Election on August 6th are:

• County Executive (4-year term)

• County Commissioner District 1-7 (4-year term)

• Trustee (4-year term)

• Sheriff (4-year term)

• Circuit Court Clerk (4-year term)

• County Clerk (4-year term)

• Register of Deeds (4-year term)

• Road Superintendent (4-year term)

• School Board Member Districts 2 and 5 (4-year term)

Nominating petitions may be picked up in the Election Commission Office, located in the Wayne County Administrative Building on the square, during regular business hours, through the qualifying deadline of Thursday, February 19th at 12 noon.

The withdrawal deadline is Thursday, February 26th, 2026, at 12 noon. Withdrawal statements must be in writing, signed by the candidate.

The last day to register in person to vote in this election is Monday, April 6th, 2026.

The Wayne County News will publish a full list of all qualifying candidates after the qualifying deadline on February 19th.

Anyone with questions regarding the upcoming elections and/or deadlines may call Wayne County Commissioner of Elections Lillie Ruth Brewer at 931-722-3517.