Qualifying for Cherokee County's municipal elections begins in one week, but it's already clear there will be changes on at least two city councils.

Incumbents and political newcomers interesting in running in the November nonpartisan elections for offices in Ball Ground, Canton, Nelson, Waleska and Woodstock can sign up from Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Holly Springs does not have seats up for a vote this year.

Two wards will see new leadership in Canton, as longtime Councilwoman JoEllen Wilson and Councilman Lester Cantrell say they will not seek re-election.

Mrs. Wilson, vice president of external affairs at Reinhardt College, has served on the Canton City Council since 1991.

"After all these years, I feel like it is time for someone else to serve," said Mrs. Wilson, 68.

Retired salesman Bob Rush, 73, already has announced plans to run for a four-year term for her Ward I seat. A political newcomer, he has lived in the city since 2007.

Cantrell, 76, who is retired and has served eight years on the council, said he would not run for Ward III.

"It is time for me to step down," Cantrell said. "It has been a good experience."

John Beresford, 67, who is retired from Lego Toys, has announced he will seek a four-year term to succeed Cantrell. Beresford served on Canton's comprehensive plan update stakeholder committee last year.

Councilman Bill Bryan, who was appointed last year to fill an unexpired term, plans to seek a four-year term in his Ward II seat.

Canton qualifying is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at Canton City Hall. The qualifying fee is $63.

Nelson residents also will see big changes in their elected representation.

Nelson Mayor Bill Walker says he does not plan to seek a second four-year term as mayor. Walker, 60, works at Lockheed and is a former member of the city's planning and zoning commission.

Councilman Willie Pye, 73, said he also would not seek re-election to a second four-year term.

"There is so much stuff I'm doing. I really don't have the time to devote to it," Pye said of his decision to leave office at the end of his term.

Councilman James Queen, who is up for re-election for a fourth term, did not return a call for comment.

Nelson qualifying will run for two extra days, extending to Sept. 4, at the Pickens County Election Office. Qualifying is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The qualifying fee is $25.

In Woodstock, Mayor Donnie Henriques and Councilmen Randy Brewer, Bud Leonard and Bob Mueller all have announced their intention to run for another four-year term.

Henriques, 56, who is completing his first term as mayor, previously served as a councilman.

Brewer, 44, has represented Ward I since 2001, while Leonard, 64, who represents Ward 5, was elected in 2005. Mueller, 62, has represented Ward 3 on the council since 2001. He previously served on the council from 1990 to 1994.

City Clerk Rhonda Pezzello said campaign activity has been slow so far, noting only one person so far has asked about running for office.

"There is not as much interest that I have heard," she said. "There are no people that you anticipated would run. We may get some surprises."

In Woodstock, qualifying times are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 1 and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2. The fee is $360 for the mayoral seat and $270 for council seats.

Ball Ground Mayor Rick Roberts said he would qualify for what will be his last four-year term as mayor. He has served the city since 1987, with a two-year break in the mid 1990s.

Councilman John Byrd, 46, also has announced plans to seek a fourth term, while Councilman Ashley Holcomb, 35, remains undecided about seeking a sixth term.

In Ball Ground, qualifying is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Waleska City Clerk Debbie McEntyre said the only interest in the upcoming election has come from current Councilmen Floyd Puckett and Dennis "Hill" Cochran.

Cochran, 36, who was appointed last year to fill an unexpired term, has announced plans to run for a four-year term, as has Puckett, 80, who has been on the council for 13 years.

Councilman Stanley Ice did not return a call for comment.

Waleska qualifying is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day with a qualifying fee of $10.