On Nov. 2, 2004, Dallas County’s populace will have the chance to vote for four County Commissioners, two School Board members, a Fourth Judicial Circuit District Attorney, a Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge, a Dallas County District Court Judge, a Sixth Congressional District U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator.

Though election day is months away, candidates will soon begin jockeying for position as they get ready to run.

Party primaries occur June 1, but candidates must qualify with their parties no later than 5 p.m. April 2.

The primary run-off is scheduled for June 29.

Qualifying for the positions depends on which side of the politcal fence the candidate wishes to represent.

According to Brock Wells, chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party, people can qualify with the GOP right now. Interested parties should contact Wells at 874-0031, and announce they want to run as Republicans.

“You pay your $25 filing fee, fill out the paperwork and you’re in,” Wells said.

The last day for candidates of either party to qualify is April 2.

Wells noted that paperwork for those running for county office goes to Dallas County Probate Judge Johnny Jones. County offices include the four Dallas County commissioner seats and the two Dallas County Schools Board seats.

Wells suggested that people running for state offices contact him or the Alabama Secretary of State’s office in Montgomery at 334-242-7200.

“I recommend they go to Montgomery themselves,” Wells said. “They can answer any questions.”

People seeking office from the democratic side of the tracks should speak with Alston Keith, chairman of the Dallas County Democratic Party. Keith can be reached at his office at 711 Alabama Ave. at 874-6617.

Candidates for state office should contact the Alabama Democratic Party in Montgomery at 334-262-2221. Democrats may begin qualifying for office March 8.

Keith said the same qualifying fee, 2 percent of the office’s salary for one year, is paid regardless of whether someone applies for county or state office. However, fees for county offices go to the local party while fees for state offices go to the state party.

The qualifying process is similar to the Republican’s. Applicants fill out the forms, which include qualification papers and disclosure forms. Keith will have the forms at his office.

Both parties check qualifying fees and requirements.

Federal offices include the U.S. Senate and Representative seats. Those seeking the U.S. Senate seat must pay $3,094 to qualify. The salary is $154,700. The minimum age to qualify for the U.S. Senate is 30. The applicant must have lived in Alabama for one day. The term of office is six years.

The qualification fee and salary for the U.S. Representative seat is the same. The minimum age to qualify is 25. The applicant must have lived in Alabama for one day. The term of office is two years.

State offices include the district court judge, circuit court judge and district attorney positions. The fee to qualify for the circuit court judge seat is $2,239.46. The salary is $111,973.20. The minimum age to qualify is 18. The applicant must have lived in Alabama and been a resident of the circuit for one year. The term of office is four years.

Applicants must also be licensed to practice law in Alabama.

Duties of a circuit court judge include presiding over criminal and civil trials. Circuit court judges also make judgments concerning arraignments, sentences and bonds.

The district attorney qualifying fee is $2,779.94. The salary is $138,967. The minimum age to qualify is 18. The applicant must have lived in Alabama and the district he seeks to represent for one year. The term of office is six years.

Applicants must also be licensed to practice law in Alabama.

Duties of the district attorney include prosecuting criminal cases for the State of Alabama, presenting cases to the grand jury and administrating the district attorney’s office.

The district court judge qualifying fee is $2,219.46. The salary is $110,973.20. The applicant must have lived in Alabama and the district he seeks to represent for one year. The term of office is six years.

Applicants must also be licensed to practice law in Alabama.

Duties of a district court judge include presiding over criminal first call and preliminary hearings. A district court judge is often the first magistrate to set a bond.

County offices include the four county commission seats and the two county school board seats. The Democratic qualifying fee for county commission seats is $341.64. The salary is $17,082. The minimum age to qualify is 18. The applicant must have lived in Alabama for one day. The term of office is four years.

Duties of county commissioners include representing their constituents and assisting in the administration of the county with the probate judge.

The Democratic qualifying fee for the county school board seats is $144. The salary is $7,200. The minimum age to qualify is 18. The applicant must have lived in Alabama for one day. The term of office is six years.

Duties of the county school board include assisting the county superintendent of education with the administration of county schools.

The Republican qualifying fee for county commission and the county school board is $25.