Friday, Jan. 13 was the last day for individuals to qualify for the March 13 primary ballot. Twelve people qualified for the offices of Probate Judge, County Commissioner, Dallas County School Board and Constable. The candidates qualified under the Democratic primary election.

According to the Democratic Executive Committee for Dallas County, this is the first time the primary election has been moved up from June to March.

“Some people were confused by the change,” said committee chair Ozetta Thomas. “Nationwide to cut expense of holding two primaries, they moved primaries from the state to accommodate the primaries with the president.”

Thomas said she is disappointed that more people, new faces, didn’t wish to run on this year’s ballot.

“We have all incumbents that are running for the seats again, we only had two county seats,” Thomas said. “I don’t understand why any new people didn’t want to run.”

This qualifying season, Thomas said, has been very quiet.

“We started Dec. 3 and the final day (to register) was Jan. 13,” Thomas said. “It was quiet compared to last elections — we only had two county seats with opposition. “With the political climate in the country, no one is interested in getting into politics now,” Thomas said of the ballot. “I don’t know if the economic issues has anything to do with it, or the morale within the country; people just don’t have the interest anymore … that’s my theory. Hopefully it will get better.”