By Megan Horn and Enoch Autry
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, and advanced voting continues through Friday, Nov. 3.
Out of six cities in Rabun County, only Clayton and Tallulah Falls have contested races and have candidates up for a vote on the ballot.
County voters will also be able to vote on a continuation of the one percent sale and use Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) already in place.
If approved by voters, the E-SPLOST will be used for a new Rabun County High School academic building in addition to maintenance on existing buildings, buses and technology.
Voters also will decide if $38 million in aggregate principal amount of Rabun County School District general obligation bonds shall be issued.
Advanced voting goes through Friday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m. and is held at the Rabun County Board of Elections Office, 184 South Main Street, Suite 102, Clayton. Election Day will be held at the same location Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Those voting in Tallulah Falls will cast their ballot at Tallulah Falls Town Hall, 255 Main Street, Tallulah Falls.
For the city of Clayton, Incumbent council member David Cross of Post 4 will be challenged by Sarah Beth Gillespie. Anthony “Tony” Allen and Andrew Green are on the ballot for Post 3.
Current Post 3 council member Woody Blalock chose not to seek re-election.
Stacy L. Fountain is running unopposed for the Post 5 seat. Current Post 5 council member and Mayor Pro Tem John Bradshaw did not seek re-election.
In the Town of Tallulah Falls, Incumbent Mayor Mike Early will face Paul Marsteller and Dan A. Hayes.
As for council members, incumbents Joey Fountain and Craig Weatherly qualified. James Franklin also qualified and the three are running for two council seats up for grabs.
In addition to the Tallulah Falls election, Sunday alcohol sales are on the Nov. 7 ballot for voters to consider.
Voters will decide whether to allow Sunday sales of wine and malt beverages by the drink and also package sales of malt beverages and wine on Sundays.
The Rabun County Board of Elections and Registration publishes Advanced Voting updates daily. As of Oct. 31, 470 people had Advanced Voted, which is 148 in the City of Clayton; 4 in the Town of Tallulah Falls (Habersham); 11 in the Town of Tallulah Falls (Rabun); and 307 in Rabun County.
The Advance Voting Daily Total was reported at 60, according to the website.
The total of absentee ballots issued by mail is 48 with 16 being returned.
For more information about the general election and Advanced Voting numbers, contact Tammy Whitmire, election director of Rabun County, at 706-782-1878 or visit https://rabuncounty.ga.gov/elections/page/absentee-voting-totals