Elections

Congratulations on your decision! Begin by reviewing the requirements and time commitment for the office you seek. In order to qualify for the position of Mayor or Councilmember, you 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 begin January 1, 2024 and will expire on December 31, 2027. City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month, with two planning 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. Training workshops are also available on the GGT&CFC website.

Once you have decided to run, you 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, 2023 and prior to the Qualifying Period.

Candidates with a Campaign Committee should also file a Registration Form for a Campaign Committee. You will file this form with the State. Both forms may be obtained through the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission website. Please note that there are campaign contribution limits.

Filing your DOI form will trigger your 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. Forms are available online.

Candidates who plan not to exceed $2,500 in contributions or expenditures will need to complete an affidavit stating such.

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

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 will be $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 and the registered voters list.

As a candidate, whether you are successful or unsuccessful, you must file a final Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form with the City Clerk’s office by December 31, 2023.

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