Absentee Ballot Requests Due By Friday
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Citizens planning to vote in the upcoming general election through an absentee ballot should submit their requests to the county Board of Elections by Friday, October 24.
The upcoming election features contested municipal elections in Alamo and Lyons, a ballot question for citizens in Toombs County, and two contested state public service commission district races.
Municipal Races
In Alamo, there are three seats up for election on the City Council, and four individuals are vying for them – Incumbent Councilman Geoffrey Villegas, Incumbent Councilwoman Patricia Woodard, Angelia Wright Johnson, and Ty’Quez Smith. The three individuals receiving the most votes will fill the seats.
In Lyons, candidates are facing off for the chance to represent Wards 1 and 2 on the City Council. Three candidates – incumbent City Councilman Tracy Johnson, former City Councilman Larry Michael Griggers, and James Shell – are on the ballot for the Ward 1 seat of the Lyons City Council, while incumbent City Councilwoman Cathy Benton faces former City Councilwoman Sonja Eason for the Ward 2 seat. Redevelopment Power Election Toombs County Citizens will have the opportunity to allow the county and city governments to have redevelopment powers, which could potentially bring new development into the community. This question will appear on the ballot as follows: “Shall the Act to be approved which authorizes (Toombs County/Vidalia/ Lyons) to exercise all redevelopment powers allowed under the ‘Redevelopment Power Law’ as it may be amended from time to time.” This question may also appear twice on the ballot for citizens living in the city limits of Lyons or Vidalia, as it is asked once on behalf of Toombs County and once on behalf of the cities.
Some of the redevelopment powers that this law could provide is the designation of tax allocation districts. These districts allow new developments to temporarily avoid paying property taxes while building and first opening, then pay the taxes back once up and running.
The Greater Vidalia Chamber recently commented on this potential legislation, clarifying, “A yes vote is a vote for growth, not new taxes!”
State Election
Voters can also cast their ballots for the Georgia Public Service Commission District 2 and District 3 seats.
Incumbent PSC Commissioner Tim Echols (R) is facing Alicia Johnson (D) for the District 2 seat, which covers the eastern portion of the state, including the cities of Athens and Savannah.
Incumbent PSC Commissioner Fitz Johnson (R) and Peter Hubbard (D) are both vying for the District 3 seat, which covers most of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Though these districts are limited to certain regions of Georgia, all Georgians have the opportunity to select their choice of candidates to serve on the Commission.
Polling Locations
Early voting began on Tuesday, October 14, and will continue until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 31. Voters may also request absentee ballots until Friday, October 24. All absentee ballots must be submitted by the end of the election on Tuesday, November 4.
To request an absentee ballot, or for polling locations or hours, call your county’s Board of Elections, or visit mvp.sos.ga.
