Local, state, national elections coming up in 2010

Jackson County voters will have plenty on their political plates in 2010 between county, state and national elections.

The primaries are July 20. All general and non-partisan elections are Nov. 2.

Qualifying for the July primaries runs from April 26 at 9 a.m. to April 30 at noon.

Qualifying for the November general elections and non-partisan elections runs from June 28 at 9 a.m. to July 2 at noon.

The voter registration deadline for the July primaries is June 21. The deadline for the November elections is Oct. 4.

Here’s a rundown of what’s on the ballot this election year:

•Two Jackson County Board of Commissioners spots are up for grabs - those currently held by Bruce Yates, District 3; and Dwain Smith, District four.

•Three Jackson County Board of Education seats are up for election - those currently held by Tim Brooks, District 2; Kathy Wilbanks, District 3; and Jill McEver Elliott, District 5.

•Both of Jackson County’s state representative seats are up for election: District 31, currently held by Tommy Benton (R); and District 30, held by Tom McCall (R). The Senate District 47 seat is also up for grabs. Incumbent Ralph Hudgens (R) is running for state insurance commissioner.

•Commerce will hold a special election March 16 to fill the unexpired term of the late Richard Massey, who represented Ward 5 on the city council.

•At the state level, voters will decide elections for both governor and lt. governor this year. Other state elections include secretary of state, attorney general, state school superintendent, state agriculture commissioner, state insurance commissioner and state labor commissioner.

•Nationally, U.S. senator Johnny Isakson is up for re-election as is District 10 U.S. Congressman Paul Broun.