Those planning to run for office in 2014 will need to make that decision quicker than originally planned.

Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett announced on Jan. 2 that the close of qualifying for major party candidates in the 2014 election cycle will be Feb. 7, 2014, at 5 p.m. instead of the original date of April 4.

That decision was upheld this past week as Judge Myron Thompson handed down his ruling that the changes in the deadlines for the 2014 election cycle would stand.

Bennett said the reason for the change in the qualifying date was due to his office working to comply with federal laws concerning military and overseas voters.

A lawsuit was filed against the state of Alabama by the Department of Justice for late military and overseas ballots that were sent out in 2010 and 2012.

“We have agreed with the Department of Justice to move our deadlines up considerably to get ballots to the Absentee Election Managers in each county,” Bennett said.

“This will allow ballots enough time to be sent to military and overseas voters well before the federal deadline, which is 45 days before the date of the election.

“We are doing everything in our power to make sure that our soldiers have their ballots in hand and can mail them back in time for their vote to be counted.”

Locally, Franklin County Democratic Party chairman Brian Hamilton said qualifying for Democratic candidates for local office would open on Friday, Jan. 24, at noon, and would close Friday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. as the state requires.

Hamilton said those who are interested in qualifying for office as a Democrat should contact him at 256-332-1660 or Wanda Myrick at 256-332-3270.

Franklin County Republican party chairman Jerry Mays said qualifying for Republican candidates opened on Jan. 13 and will also follow the state’s lead and close on Feb. 7 at 5 p.m.

Mays said those who are interested in qualifying for office as a Republican should contact him at 256-810-2551.

Local offices up for election in 2014 include Franklin County Revenue Commissioner, Franklin County Sheriff, Franklin County School Board Place 3, and Franklin County Coroner.

Hamilton said anyone interested in serving on the Franklin County Democratic Party Executive Committee would also qualify during this time period as well.