§3-5-24. Filing of nomination certificates; time.
(a) All certificates nominating candidates for office under the preceding section shall be filed, in the case of a candidate to be voted for by the voters of the entire state or by any subdivision of the state other than a single county, with the Secretary of State, and in the case of all candidates for county and magisterial district offices, including all offices to be filled by the voters of a single county, with the clerk of the county commission, not later than August 1 preceding the general election.

(b) Each candidate shall pay the filing fee required by section eight of this article, at the time of the filing of the nomination certificate. If any nomination certificate is not timely filed or if the filing fee is not timely paid, the certificate may not be received by the Secretary of State, or by the clerk of the county commission, as the case may be.