Prospective candidates planning to run for public office within the city limits of Picayune have less than two weeks to qualify.

Requirements to qualify to run for city council state that the candidate is a city resident in the district which the candidate wishes to represent. Candidates wishing to run for mayor must be a resident of the city.

There is a $10 fee if the candidate wishes to run as a Republican or Democrat. Payment of that fee must be made out to the respective party.

If a candidate wishes to run as an Independent then they must turn in a petition with at least 50 signatures of qualified city voters. The petition will take the place of the $10 fee.

City Clerk Priscilla Daniel said the deadline to qualify in the City of Picayune is a day earlier than other cities due to city offices being closed on Fridays. The deadline is March 5, at 5:30 p.m.

Below is the list of candidates for city offices who had filed by Monday.

In the 1st Precinct incumbent Larry Watkins (R) and Jeff Lossett (R) have qualifyied for council.

In the 2nd Precinct incumbent Donald Parker (D) is the only qualifying council candidate.

In the 3rd Precinct incumbent Anna Turnage (R) is the only qualifying council candidate.

In the 4th Precinct Larry Breland (D) and incumbent Leavern Guy (D) have qualified for council.

In the 5th Precinct Howard Alexander (R), Wayne Gouget (R) and Jeff Harrington (R) have qualified for council.

For mayor state Sen. Ezell Lee (D), former city manager Ed Pinero (R) and former city councilman Mark Thorman (D) have qualified.

Prospective candidates wishing to qualify for the election should make sure their voter registration reflects their current city residency.

The primary election for all offices will be held Tuesday, May 5.

The general election will be Tuesday, June 2.

Winners will take office on July 6.

Special hours for voter registration are 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. from Monday, March 30, until Thursday, April 2. The City Clerk’s office also will be open Saturday, April 4, from 8 a.m. until noon for the last day of voter registration for the primary election.

Voters wishing to vote by means of an absentee ballot for the primary election can do so by Saturday, May 2 . The office will be open that Saturday until noon. If absentee ballots are mailed in, they must be in Daniel’s office by 5 p.m. Monday, May 4.