The political season will take on new meaning this week as qualifying for office starts today.

Up until now, talk has been cheap, but the money is due if you want to be in the race for political office in Dade County.

The General Primary is July 31.

Republicans and Democrats as well as Non-Partisan candidates could begin qualifying at 9 a.m. this morning in the County Commission Meeting Room of the County Administrative Building.

Qualifying dates and times will be Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon.

The qualifying fees for each office are as follows:

Commission Chairman/Executive $1,965.00; County Commissioner $120; Sheriff $1,616.40; Tax Commissioner $1,392.25; Probate Judge $1,392.25; Chief Magistrate Judge $1,392.25; Coroner $88.21; and Board of Education $18.

The Sentinel will have a complete list of those who qualify in next week’s paper.