In addition to the requirements for all candidates, Georgia law has requirements for candidates for Sheriff.
It is vital that you pay close attention to the requirements and ensure that you meet each one and turn in the required affidavit and
§15-16-1(c.)
(c) Qualifications. (1) No person shall be eligible to hold the office of sheriff unless such person:(A) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff is a citizen of the United States;
(B) Has been a resident of the county in which he or she seeks the office of sheriff for at least two years immediately preceding the date of qualifying for election to the office;
(C) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff is a registered voter;
(D) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff has attained the age of at least 25 years;
(E) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff has obtained a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent in educational training as established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council;
(F) Has not been convicted of a felony offense or any offense involving moral turpitude contrary to the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States; provided, however, that a plea of nolo contendere to a felony offense or any offense involving moral turpitude contrary to the laws of this state shall have the same effect as a plea of guilty, thereby disqualifying such a person from holding the office of sheriff;
(G) Is fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record, which fingerprints are to be taken under the direction of the judge of the probate court and must be taken on or before, but no later than, the close of qualification for election to the office of sheriff;
(H) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff gives a complete written history of his or her places of residence for a period of six years immediately preceding his or her qualification date, giving the house number or RFD number, street, city, county, and state;
(I) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff gives a complete written history of his or her places of employment for a period of six years immediately preceding his or her qualification date, giving the period of time employed and the name and address of his or her employer; and
(J) Is a registered peace officer as provided in Code Section 35-8-10 or is a certified peace officer as defined in Chapter 8 of Title 35. Any person who is not a registered or certified peace officer at the time such person assumes the office of sheriff shall be required to complete satisfactorily the requirements for certification as a peace officer as provided in Chapter 8 of Title 35 within six months after such person takes office; provided, however, that an extension of the time to complete such requirements may be granted by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council upon the presentation of evidence by a sheriff that he or she was unable to complete the basic training course and certification requirements due to illness, injury, military service, or other reasons deemed sufficient by such council.
(2) Each person offering his or her candidacy for the office of sheriff shall, within 60 days prior to or at the time such person qualifies:
(A) File with the officer before whom such person has qualified to seek the office of sheriff a certified copy of his or her birth certificate and a certified copy of his or her high school diploma or certified proof of its recognized equivalent in education training as established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; and
(B) Swear or affirm before the officer before whom such person has qualified to seek the office of sheriff that he or she meets all of the qualifications required by this subsection, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (J) of paragraph (1) of this subsection, and that he or she has complied with the requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) of this subsection no later than the close of qualification for election to the office of sheriff.
(3) Each person offering to run for the office of sheriff and who is otherwise qualified shall be allowed, six months prior to qualifying and at his or her own expense, to attend the basic mandate course for peace officers.
As with the qualifications for anyone running for office, these are not negotiable, and they are likely to be applied strictly. If you fail to comply with any of these requirements, you may be removed from the ballot and you will not have a second chance in this election cycle.
In 2016, a candidate for Calhoun County Sheriff was disqualified and removed from the ballot because of past convictions for bouncing checks and a nolo plea to a theft charge.
Also in 2016, two candidates for Muscogee County Sheriff were disqualified and removed from the election ballot because they missed the deadline to be fingerprinted. Two other candidates in the same election were also disqualified for failing to turn in some of the required paperwork, but they were later restored to the ballot as candidates.
And in 2008, a candidate for Wilkes County Sheriff was disqualified and removed from the ballot for not having lived in the county for the required two years.
Don’t let this happen to you.
The information above is current as of June 24, 2016. Please double-check everything before relying on it.