Voters Show Interest in Upcoming Election
With the mid-term elections less than two weeks away, Jasperites, like most Georgians, are narrowing their choices and deciding who to choose when they go to the polls.
But not everyone is waiting until November 7 when the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Chief Registrar Carole Norris said Monday she had distributed more than 300 absentee ballots, and she reminds voters her office will be open next week for early voting.
Those who wish to beat the election day crowds can go to the polls next week—from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30 through Friday, Nov. 3. The joy of early voting is it’s a choice for anyone—voters don’t have to be unable to vote on election day, they can just choose to vote next week.
However, those who wish to vote early need to do it by Friday. There will be no voting on Monday, Nov. 6.
The nearly 7,500 Jasperites who are eligible to vote can join other Georgians in selecting a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, school superintendent, and commissioners of agriculture, insurance and labor.
There are several different ballots in Jasper, as voters in District 1 will select a school board representative. Incumbent Stacy Standifer is being challenged by Sharon Campbell and Bobby Norris. School Board Districts 3 and 5 are also up for election, but those incumbents—Joel Gaston and Joy Wild—are unopposed. Those elections are non-partisan.
City of Monticello voters can cast their vote for a mayor pro-tem, to fill a vacancy that has existed since early this year, when Otis Clark resigned. Russell Gross and Ronald James both seek that post. The city election is also non-partisan.
{{more}}
Those elections affecting a relatively small number of voters will be most affected by voter turnout. Overall interest appears high, based on the number of absentee ballots mailed, as well as the presence of many candidates in our town, on our televisions, and in this newspaper.
Jasperites will also have a vote in who will be our state Senator and state Representative for the next two years. Incumbent Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) is being challenged by Bruce Gilbert (D-Madison), former mayor of Madison.
Incumbent Rep. Jim Cole (R-Forsyth) is facing a challenge from former Rep. Curtis Jenkins (D-Forsyth), who held the post for more than a decade before being unseated in 2002 by Rep. Cole.
Jasper will also have a big say in who the next Congressman from the 8th Congressional District will be. Incumbent Jim Marshall (D-Macon) is being challenged by former Congressman Mac Collins (R-Jackson). Congressman Marshall was elected from the Third district, but redistricting has placed him in the Eighth Congressional District, which includes Jasper County.
Other races local voters will help decide are two statewide races for public service commissioner, and the non-partisan election of judges, most of whom are unopposed. One exception is for a Justice for the State Supreme Court to succeed Carol W. Hunstein. Ms. Hunstein seeks re-election and she is challenged by Mike Wiggins.
Most of the uncontested races are not shown on this sample ballot, but complete sample ballots for each district and precinct are available at the Courthouse from the Probate Judge or Registrar.
Once voters make a decision on who shall represent them, they will be asked to vote on three proposed constitutional amendments and six proposed statewide referenda. Those issues are each shown in the legal sectioin of this week’s paper.
