CENTRE — A total of 21 local candidates—11 Democrats and 10 Republicans—have qualified to seek election or reelection to local office in the March 13, 2012 state primary election.

Three more are seeking a pair of positions as judges in the state's 9th Circuit. Incumbent Cherokee County Circuit Clerk Dwayne Amos, a Democrat, is running unopposed.

One local party leader told The Post he is excited about the county's first-ever competitive primaries.

“This is the first time we've ever had this many candidates from both parties on the ballot,” said Democratic Party Chairman Johnny Roberts. “I hope we have a good turnout.”

In Alabama, the primary election is part of the nominating process for the major political parties, used to select who will represent the party in the General Election, set for Nov. 6.

Voters in Cherokee County and across the state will be asked to choose a party affiliation as they sign in at their polling place on March 13. Polls across Alabama will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

In the race for Cherokee County probate judge, a position being vacated by Melvyn Salter, who is prevented by state law from seeking a second term because he turns 70 this month, Centre City Councilman Sid Garrett will face County Commissioner Kimball Parker in the Democratic race. On the Republican side, former Probate Judge Kirk Day is running against former real estate business owner Tony O'Neal. The primary winner in each party will be on the ballot again in November.

In the race for the District 1 seat on the County Commission, incumbent Democrat Wade Sprouse will be challenged in November by Republican candidate Randy Jones, a retired welder and Baptist minister from Spring Garden.

There are three candidates—two Democrats and one Republican—for the District 3 seat on the County Commission. Incumbent Elbert St. Clair will try to turn back a challenge from local restaurant owner Lanny Starr, who lost to St. Clair in a runoff in 2008. Leesburg attorney Marcie Foster is the lone Republican in the race .

In the race for superintendent of the county school system, incumbent two-term Democrat Brian Johnson is being challenged by educator Brett Keasler. On the Republican side, Sand Rock School Principal Ben East is in his first political race against Career and Technology Center Principal Mitchell Guice, who has run for superintendent twice before.

In the races for Board of Education seats, incumbent Seat 3 holder Don Stowe faces a Democratic primary challenge from registered nurse Suzanne Bishop. Republicans Linda Archer and Randy Hunter are also seeking the seat.

In the Place 4 race for a spot on the Board of Education, retired educator Mark Green is the lone Republican. He will face off on Nov. 6 against the winner of the Democratic primary between incumbent Dewandee Neyman and local businesswoman Trudy Lowe.

In state races, Valley Head native Shaunathan Bell, a Republican, will try to unseat Circuit Judge David Rains in November. Circuit Judge Randall Cole, a Democrat first elected in 1974, is running unopposed.

The one-cent sales tax increase approved last year by the County Commission to keep the Career and Technology Center open for the 2011-12 school year will also be on the ballot. The tax is set to expire in September unless voters allow it to remain in place.

Both parties in Alabama hold “closed” primaries, meaning only voters registered as members of that party may cast a ballot in the March 13 primary. Republican voters should ask for the “blue” ballot. Democrats should ask for the “white” ballot. A third ballot for voters who only want to vote for or against the one-cent sales tax will also be available at precincts around the county.