Qualifying begins Mon. for city elections.

GAINESVILLE - Monday is the first day candidates who plan to run in city elections in Georgia this year can qualify.

State law dictates that no qualifying can take place this year prior to Aug. 26 and that no qualifying can take place after Aug. 30. The length of the qualifying period can vary, however. Some cities and towns will conduct qualifying all week, while others will keep the books open for only three days.

In Hall County, qualifying for the Gainesville city election will begin Monday and end Wednesday. That is also true in Oakwood and Flowery Branch as well as Lula. But it will be an all-week affair for Gillsville and Clermont. Qualifying will take place at each city's respective city hall except for Gillsville, whose candidates will sign up at the Hall County Elections Office.

Most of the attention in Hall County has been on the mayoral election. That's because of a change in the city charter which calls for the direct citywide election of the mayor instead of having the city council choose the mayor from among its members. In addition, two city council posts and two seats on the city board of education will be up for grabs this year.