Both the Chattooga County Republican Party and the Chattooga County Democratic Party have announced qualifying details for local candidates seeking to run for the Chattooga County Board of Education seats up for election in 2026: District/Seat #2 (Trion area outside the City of Trion), District/Seat #3 (Menlo and surrounding areas), and District/Seat #4 (Lyerly and the southern side of the county).

Republican Qualifying (Chattooga County Republican Party)
Party Chairwoman Meredith Rosson says qualifying will run from Monday, March 2, 2026 through Friday, March 6, 2026 at noon. Qualifying hours are Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Qualifying will be held at 136 Highway 48, Summerville, GA 30747 (Law Offices, PC).

The qualifying fee is $50, and payment must be made by cashier’s check or money order payable to the “Chattooga County Republican Party.” Questions can be directed to 706-331-5547.

Democratic Qualifying (Chattooga County Democratic Party)
Democratic Party Chair Cynthia Hubler says Democratic candidates must also qualify during the March 2–6, 2026 window, running from 9:00 a.m. March 2 to 12:00 noon March 6. The qualifying fee is $50, and candidates must complete a “Declaration of Candidacy and Affidavit” available through the Georgia Secretary of State’s website. The party can also provide the form upon request.

In-person qualifying is scheduled at the Chattooga County Library in Summerville on March 2 from 2–4 p.m. and March 5 from 2–4 p.m. Candidates needing alternate times are asked to contact the party at Chattooga.democrats@gmail.com or 706-383-7355.