One person, Kathleen Keehner, qualified Wednesday as a candidate for the vacant District 2 seat on Statesboro City Council in the Nov. 3 special election. The three-day window for candidate qualifying had opened Tuesday, Aug. 18, and the final opportunity to qualify will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.

During those hours, any further candidates may file the “notice of candidacy” paperwork and pay the required $330 qualifying fee at the office of City Clerk Leah Harden in City Hall, 50 East Main St.

The only candidate as of Wednesday, Keehner is a resident of Council District 2 and met the other requirements, based on Harden’s acknowledgment of her as a candidate.

The Statesboro Herald contacted Keehner for further information but had not received a detailed reply by Wednesday’s posting and press time.

The Statesboro City Charter and relevant state laws establish the requirements for people to qualify as candidates and serve on the council.

In this case, according to a list Harden previously provided, individuals must:

• Be at least 25 years of age.
• Be a resident of the city for one year.
• Have resided in District 2 for at least six months immediately preceding the election date.
• Be a qualified elector to vote in city elections.
• Have no convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude, unless a full pardon has been granted and citizenship rights restored.

Also under the City Charter, once elected, members are required to reside in their districts as long as they remain on the council.

The District 2 seat has been vacant since former councilmember Paulette Chavers’ resignation in May.

The special election winner – or unopposed candidate if there are no further qualifiers – will fill the unexpired term through 2027. That council member, or any other District 2 candidate, would need to seek election to a full term in next year’s regular city elections.