Voter Registration Deadline Is Monday

Next Monday, June 21, is the deadline for residents to register, or update their voter registration information, to participate in the July 20 general primary elections and Aug. 10 runoffs if any are required.

Three Jasper County Commission seats will be decided in the Republican primary, and Jasper voters will have a voice in choosing nominees from both parties for a variety of statewide and regional offices. To participate their registration must be current.

Residents may register at the Board of Registrars office on the ground floor of the Courthouse or at numerous other locations. Information is also available by calling the registrars office at 706-468-4908.
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Since redistricting changed County Commission districts, many voters won’t be voting for or against the commissioner they elected in 2000. Cards showing residents’ correct districts were to be mailed from Atlanta this week, said chief registrar Carole Norris. If a voter has moved, he or she should re-register no later than Monday to vote in the proper district.

New registration cards will be issued to voters who record changes of address, or other changes, by Monday; after that they will be required to vote in the district shown on their current cards, Mrs. Norris said.

Voters in Commission Districts 3, 4, and 5 will choose their commissioners for the next four years in the July 20 Republican primary and, in District 3, a possible runoff. In that district incumbent Jerry Crow is being challenged by Chris Batchelor, Jack Bernard and Jerry Lazar. District 4 Commissioner Russell Bennett faces Greg Johnson and in district 5 Bob Yarbrough is challenging incumbent Greg Wyatt.

There are no Democratic aspirants in those districts, but in District 1 incumbent Carl Pennamon faces James Wright in the Democratic primary, with the winner to face Bernard Fontaine, the sole Republican contender. In District 2 Charles Hill is unopposed.

Statewide Jasper voters will participate in a heated U.S. Senate race with the Republican primary race between Herman Cain, Mac Collins and Johnny Isakson attracting the most attention.
Eight Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination.

There also is a four-way Republican race for the Eighth District congressman who will represent Jasper. Sylvia Delamar is the only Democratic aspirant.

Voters also will choose nominees for several other statewide offices and elect judges at all levels in nonpartisan judicial ballots appearing on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.