Qualification Period for School Board and Justice Court Judge Ends Soon
Oxford, MS – Residents of Lafayette County have just a few days left to qualify for two important positions: seats on the Lafayette County School Board and a Justice Court judge. The qualification period for both roles **_ends on Friday, September 6_**. This deadline is key for candidates who wish to be on the ballot for the upcoming elections.
School Board Positions
Currently, there are two seats on the school board that are up for election. The first is for District 3, which is currently held by Dr. Judith Thompson. The other seat is for District 4, presently occupied by Mike Gooch. However, Gooch has confirmed he will not be seeking re-election.
As of now, three individuals have officially qualified to run for these positions. They are:
- Erika Hewlett for District 4
- Shane Russell for District 3
- Judith Thompson for District 3, seeking re-election
To qualify for a seat on the school board, a candidate must meet specific requirements. They must have a high school diploma or an equal qualification, and they need to be a resident of Lafayette County for at least two years prior to Election Day. Additionally, candidates must gather **_50 signatures_** from qualified voters in their district to officially enter the race.
Justice Court Judge Special Election
In addition to the school board seats, the qualification period for a special election to fill a Justice Court Judge position is also closing this Friday. This seat became vacant after the passing of Johnny Wayne McLarty, who sadly died in a car accident last December. Following his passing, Retired Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth has been filling in until a new judge is elected.
Seven candidates have qualified to run for the Justice Court Judge position. They include:
- Angie Allen
- Michael K. Brown Jr.
- Michael Shane Brown
- Krisi Allen
- Ley Falkner
- Benjamin Justus
- Deanna McLarty Massey
For voters interested in participating in the election, absentee voting will start on **_September 23_** and will run until **_November 2_**. The general election is scheduled for **_November 5_**, and polling places will be open from **_7 a.m. to 7 p.m._** on that day.
Nonpartisan Races
It is important to note that both the school board and Justice Court Judge races are nonpartisan. They will appear on the ballot alongside several other significant races, including those for Lafayette County election commissioners, U.S. President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Representative.
County residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in these elections that will shape local governance. With just a few days left for candidates to qualify, it is vital for interested individuals to act quickly if they wish to run for office.
