Qualifying Opens for County Commission, Board of Education Seats

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The Polk County Board of Elections has announced that the qualifying period for the 2026 County Commission and Board of Education seats will begin on March 2 and run through March 6. The general primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026, with a potential runoff on June 16, 2026 if needed.

Why it matters

These local elections will determine the leadership and policies for Polk County's government and public schools, which are important issues for residents. The qualifying period kicks off the election season and allows candidates to officially enter the races.

The details

Qualifying will take place at the Polk County Board of Election Office located in the Polk County Administration Annex. The qualifying period will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily from March 2 to March 5, with the final day on March 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Qualifying fees are set at $409.43 for the County Commissioner seats and $45 for the Board of Education seats.

• The qualifying period will run from March 2 to March 6, 2026.
• The Polk County General Primary Election will be held on May 19, 2026.
• If a runoff election is required, it will be held on June 16, 2026.

What’s next

Candidates must file the necessary paperwork and pay the qualifying fees during the designated period in order to appear on the ballot for the May 19 primary election.