To those who see future senators, judges or sheriffs with shiny badges when they look in the mirror, this could be the time.

Qualifying for 2008 federal, state and local elections begins at 9 a.m. Monday. Candidates for one of the more than 1,500 posts on the ballots have until noon Friday to sign up and pay "qualifying fees."

Candidates running for state and federal offices will qualify at the state Capitol. Local office seekers will qualify at elections offices or political party headquarters in their counties.

WHAT'S ON BALLOT, WHAT'S THE FEE?

CONTESTS TO WATCH

• U.S. Senate — Will Obamamania give Democrats a real shot at beating Republican Saxby Chambliss?
• U.S. House — Can Democrats Jim Marshall of Macon and John Barrow of Savannah hang on to their conservative GOP-leaning districts? Will Democrat John Lewis' switch from Hillary Clinton's camp to Barack Obama's hurt him?
• Georgia Legislature — Will bad reviews of the '08 session produce primary challengers for leading members?
• DeKalb CEO — Incumbent Vernon Jones, who is term-limited, is wrapping up his eighth year. More than a half-dozen people have expressed interest in the job.
• Gwinnett Commission chairman — Commissioner Lorraine Green is asking voters to boot an incumbent chairman for the second time in four years. Green is challenging incumbent Charles Bannister who, in 2004, ousted three-term incumbent Wayne Hill.
• Clayton sheriff — The flamboyant and controversial Victor Hill could face as many as six challengers.
• Fulton sheriff — Incumbent Myron Freeman, dogged by criticism for his department's handling of the Brian Nichols shootings, could face 10 challengers.

DATES TO REMEMBER

• April 28-May 2: Qualifying for Georgia's July primary
• May 8: First day voters may apply for November presidential election absentee ballots
• July 7-11: Early voting for primary election
• July 15: Georgia general primary election
• Aug. 5: General primary election runoff
• Oct 27-31: Early voting for presidential election
• Nov. 4: Presidential election

— Staff writers Ralph Ellis, Kathy Jefcoats, David Bennett, Tom Opdyke, Ty Tagami and Megan Matteucci contributed to this article. Source material: Georgia secretary of state