Elections

The next municipal election for the City of Pooler will be held in November 2027. Seven positions will be open: one (1) Mayor and six (6) City Councilmembers. These are non-partisan, at-large (city-wide) positions. The City of Pooler has no districts.

In order to qualify for the position of Mayor or Councilmember, a candidate must meet the following:

• Shall be a citizen of the City of Pooler for 12 months prior to the date of election
• Shall be a registered voter and qualified to vote in municipal elections of the City
• Shall continue to reside within the city limits during the period of service
• Shall not be ineligible for public office pursuant to O.C.G.A. 45-2-1

Four-year terms of office will began January 1, 2024 and expire on December 31, 2027. City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month, with two retreats held annually. The Mayor may also call special meetings or public hearings as needed. In addition, those elected are required by law to attend and satisfactorily complete a training program for newly elected municipal officials, offered annually in February or March.

Interested candidates should familiarize themselves with the City Charter, City Codes/Ordinances, and the guidelines set forth by the Georgia Government Transparency Campaign Finance Commission.

Once a candidate has decided to run, they will complete and submit a Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions (DOI) form with the City Clerk prior to soliciting/accepting any campaign contributions. This may be done at any time after January 1, 2027 and prior to the 2027 Qualifying Period. Candidates with a Campaign Committee should also file a Registration Form for a Campaign Committee with the State.

Filing a DOI form triggers the obligation to begin filing Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports. The Ethics in Government Act requires public disclosure of campaign financing and significant private interest of public officers and candidates for public office. Elected officials and any candidate seeking elected office in Georgia, or the chairperson or treasurer of their campaign committee, must file campaign contribution disclosure reports. Anyone who has filed a Declaration of Intention must file these reports, even if there has been no financial activity. These forms must be filed with the City Clerk and in compliance with the following filing schedule during an election year: January 31, April 30, June 30, September 30, October 25, and December 31. (Candidates who plan not to exceed $2,500 in contributions or expenditures will need to complete an affidavit stating such.)

Campaign finance documents are filed in the Georgia Campaign Finance System public record and may be viewed by typing “Pooler” in the search bar, then selecting “Pooler Local Filing Officer 2030” from the dropdown menu.

To officially be considered a Candidate for Municipal Office, one must qualify for the office by submitting a Notice of Candidacy form to the City Clerk during the Qualifying Period in the Office of the City Clerk, Pooler City Hall, 100 US Highway 80 SW, Pooler, GA 31322. The 2023 period ran from Monday, August 21, 2023 through Friday, August 25, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 2027 period has yet to be determined.

Candidates must bring a valid photo ID and all of the appropriate documentation. Qualifying Packets containing forms, resources, and other information will be available in both paper and digital formats in the office of the City Clerk beginning August 1, 2027.

A Qualifying Fee (3% of current salary) must be paid in order to participate in the Qualifying Period. For the 2023 municipal election, this fee was $432.00 for the office of Mayor and $216.00 for the office of Councilmember. If unable to pay, a candidate may submit a pauper’s affidavit and qualifying petition.

The City of Pooler contracts with the Chatham County Board of Elections to conduct our municipal elections. You may contact their office, as well as the Chatham County Board of Registrars (Voter Registration Office), for additional election information. You may contact the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office for a registered voters list.

All candidates exceeding $2,500.00 in donations or expenditures, whether successful or unsuccessful in the election, must file a final Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form with the City Clerk’s office by December 31, 2027.