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With most eyes on the presidential election coming up in November, the year 2024 will also have a large slate of local and state elections after the presidential primaries.

Early voting for the presidential primaries has begun at the Troup County Government Center in LaGrange and will continue through March 8. The Georgia presidential primary election will be held on March 12.

Republican primary voters will see 11 candidates on the ballot, though the race has unofficially narrowed to candidates Donald Trump, who has 63 delegates, and Nikki Haley with 17 delegates.

Candidates Ryan Binkley, Doug Burgum, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Asa Hutchinson, Perry Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott and David Stuckenberg will also appear on the ballot despite most having suspended their campaigns.

Troup Election Supervisor Andy Harper explained that although some candidates have suspended their campaigns, they have not officially withdrawn, so they remain on the ballot.

On their ballot, Democratic primary voters will see incumbent President Joe Biden along with challengers Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson.

The upcoming General Primary and Nonpartisan Election on May 21 will have a large slate of local candidates.

More than a dozen local seats will be up for grabs this year, including superior court clerk, sheriff, tax commissioner, coroner, solicitor, county commissioners for district 2, district 3 and district 4, state court judge, probate court judge and school board members for district 2, district 3, district 5 and district 6.

The partisan candidates will have their primaries to move on to general election in November, however, nonpartisan candidates, like school board, will be voted in during the May 21 election. If a runoff is needed, it will be held on June 18.

Qualifying for the May 21 primaries and nonpartisan election begins March 4 and will end on March 8.

The May 21 ballot will also include a special election for the mayor of LaGrange and LaGrange district 1 due to the passing of Mayor Willie T. Edmondson and the resignation of Councilman Jim Arrington. Qualifying for the special election will be held March 11 through March 13.

The May 12 primary will also include state and federal primaries, notably including the district 3 Congressional seat of former West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson. Ferguson announced his intention to retire after this term in December.

The general election is set for Election Day on Nov. 5 with any necessary runoffs scheduled for Dec. 3.

The names of the candidates running for local office will be provided in a future article once qualifying is concluded.