Jackson County will hold a primary election for county offices for the first time next May.
Administrator of Elections Drew McMillan said state legislators recently passed a law that mandates counties hold a primary election if a local political party called for one before August 25. McMillan said both the Jackson County Republican and Democratic parties asked for the primary.
“Before this legislator was passed the primary was based solely on the county to pay for,” McMillan said. “So I would say that would have a huge impact on why there was never one before.”
McMillan said Jackson County was one of six remaining counties in the state that have not held a primary election for county officials. McMillan said the county mayor, county commissioners districts one through six, county trustee, sheriff, clerks of court, county clerk, register of deeds, road superintendent, and school board members will be included.
McMillan said Gainesboro mayor and aldermen will not be included, but was not sure why.
McMillan said the primary will make county officials partisan; however, he does not see the primary election making a big impact.
“Most people in a small county like this, knows the people that they are going to be voting for,” McMillan said. “They are not interested in their party affiliation. More or so if they can do the job verse who they are.”
Some county officials are questioning the need to be partisan when running for county offices. McMillan said people may have different feelings about it.
“It’s a new thing for the county,” McMillan said. “Some people like change, and some people do not, so you got different opinions.”
The cost for the primary election is an estimated $10,000, which, under the new mandate, the county will have to pay for and then be reimbursed by the state. The primary election will be held on May 5, 2026.
McMillan said he is unsure why the county has never had a primary for county offices, but speculates that the cost of primary elections may have been a reason.