Early Voting Is Brisk; 404 Vote First Day

Early voting in Jasper County began Tuesday, and continues until Friday, Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day in the Courthouse. In addition, the Courthouse will be open for early voting on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to the Presidential race, voters in Jasper County will help choose two U.S. Senators. There are 17 candidates on the ballot for U.S. Senate to fill the unexpired term of Johnny Isakson, who has resigned. Voters in Jasper as well as across the state will also choose whether to return Republican David Perdue to Washington or send Democrat Jon Ossoff or Libertarian Shane Hazel.

Statewide races include two for Public Service Commission—Jason Shaw, Republican, is seeking re-election and is being challenged by Robert G. Bryant, Democrat, and Elizabeth Melton, Libertarian. In addition, Lauren Bubba McDonald, Jr., Republican, is seeking re-election to the Public Service Commission, and being challenged by Daniel Blackmon, Democrat, and Nathan Wilson, Libertarian.

Area contests include the race for U.S. Representative between incumbent Republican Jody Hice and challenger, Democrat Tabitha Johnson-Green.

Republican incumbent State Senator Burt Jones is being challenged by Democrat Veronica Brinson. And, Jasper County’s own Susan Holmes, Republican state representative, is being challenged by Democrat Sharonda Bell and Independent Joe Reed.

No entirely local races are up for grabs, all of them having been decided in the primary.

Names that will appear on the ballot, unopposed, include District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale; Clerk of Superior Court Leann Roper Airington; Sheriff Donnie Pope, Tax Commissioner Angela Walsh, Surveyor Robert O. Jordan, Coroner Billy Norris, and Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Melvin Preston Wynens.

In addition, voters in Districts 3 and 5 will confirm their choice for County Commissioner. Don Jernigan for District 3 and Steven Ledford for District 5. A special election to select a District 1 commissioner to fill the seat of Carl Pennamon who died will be held in March. Mr. Pennamon’s name will be on the District 1 ballot.

Voters will also have their say on two proposed Constitutional Amendments and one statewide referendum.

The sample ballot is on page 9 of today’s paper, and the Constitutional Amendments are published in the legal section on page 13.