Two Elections In One Take Place on Tuesday

Election day is finally close—next Tuesday, June 9, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for persons to vote in the Republican and Democratic primaries and the nonpartisan general election.

Probate Judge Andrea Brown, who serves as election superintendent, and Chief Registrar Carole Norris concur that it is a very confusing election. For the 10,000 registered voters in Jasper County, there are some 27 different ballots.

Those persons who voted in March for the President will have that vote counted, and will only vote in the nonpartisan general election next Tuesday. Voting in March was suspended because of COVID-19, so only absentee and early voting persons were able to cast ballots. Those votes will be counted, along with the votes cast Tuesday to determine the outcome of the election.

Persons will have to choose whether to vote Democratic or Republican, and either ballot will also offer the non-partisan races for the general election.

Those voting Republican will have an option of T. Wright Barksdale or Carl Cansino for District Attorney of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Republicans in District 3 will also choose between Don Jernigan, incumbent, or Pat Tria, challenger for County Commissioner. Likewise, Republican voters in District 5 will choose between Roger Harrison and Steven Ledford for County Commissioner. No other races on the Republican ballot are contested.

Those voting Democratic will see all the candidates for President of the United States, although Joe Biden is the likely nominee. Democratic voters will choose between seven people for the United States Senate seat.

Those candidates are Sarah Riggs Amico, Marckeith DeJesus, James Knox, Tricia Carpenter McCracken, Jon Ossoff, Maya Dillard Smith, and Teresa Pike Tomlinson.

There will likely be a run-off in that case, and that is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11.

Democratic voters will choose between Daniel Blackman and John Noel to succeed Lauren Bubba McDonald, Jr. on the Public Service Commission. The winner of that race will face Mr. McDonald in November.

Both party’s ballots will include several questions.

For the non-partisan election, there is much interest locally in the Chief Magistrate position which features incumbent Tim Lam being challenged by Chrissy Pitts Mason. There are no other local contested non-partisan races.

There are several state-wide non-partisan races, including Supreme Court Justices. Incumbent Charlie Bethel is being challenged by Elizabeth “Beth” Beskin. Incumbent Sarah Hawkins Warren is being challenged by Hal Moroz.

There are no other contested races, although a copy of the sample ballot lists numerous other offices. Locally, Probate Judge Andrea Brown, Tax Commissioner Angela Walsh, Sheriff Donnie Pope, County Commissioner Carl Pennamon, Coroner Billy Norris, Surveyor Robert O. Jordan, are being re-elected with no opposition. In addition, School Board members Erin C. Lynch and Bill Schilling are being re-elected without opposition.

Leann Roper Airington is the only person seeking the Clerk of Courts position.

State Rep. Susan Holmes has no opposition, and neither does state Sen. Burt Jones.

So voters may cast a vote of confidence for many of the persons on the ballot, or leave it blank, it will make no difference to the outcome, although those running appreciate the vote of confidence.

For more information, or to view the ballots, visit the Courthouse where early voting continues through Friday.