As of Monday afternoon, three candidates had qualified to run for sheriff.

According to the Office of Elections and Voter Registration, Keith Duncan, Tony Head and Joel Jinks filed the necessary paperwork Monday to qualify for the Sept. 20 nonpartisian special election for sheriff. The election is to complete the term of former Sheriff Dee Stewart.

The next regularly scheduled election for sheriff is in November 2012.

Candidates must win at least 50 percent of the vote plus one vote to win the Sept. 20 special election outright. If no candidate has more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff Oct. 18.

Qualifying for the special election for sheriff began Monday, continues Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and concludes Wednesday from 8 a.m. until noon at the Office of Elections and Voter Registration, Room 110, Spalding County Courthouse Annex, 119 E. Solomon St., Griffin.

Wendell Beam has announced his candidacy but had not qualified yet.

The qualifying fee, set by the Spalding County Board of Commissioners last month, is 3 percent of the base salary for sheriff, which is $2,270.25. Candidates must bring the qualifying fee as well as documentation including a complete written history of his or her places of residence and employment for the past six years, including dates and addresses.