Election season is here as qualifying for spots on the Nov. 7, 2023, ballot begins Monday, Aug. 21, as seats in all six cities are up for grabs.
The Rabun County Board of Elections released qualifying fee notices and special election information for the municipalities of Clayton, Dillard, Mountain City, Sky Valley, Tallulah Falls, and Tiger.
Qualifying will be held at the Rabun County Elections and Registration Office, 184 S. Main St., Suite 102, Clayton, Monday-Thursday, Aug. 21-24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
“I’ll have qualifying packets here for them,” said Tammy Whitmire, elections and voter registration director, about how interested parties can get their names on the ballot.
Whitmire said the paperwork can be picked up starting this week but cannot be turned in until qualifying begins Monday.
“Make sure you are a registered voter in the city you are applying for,” Whitmire said.
Council members in Clayton, Dillard and Mountain City are elected to posts, but those qualifying can choose any post as long as they live in the city in which they are applying.
Whitmire said those qualifying must turn in all paperwork and payment before the 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, deadline.
Qualifying fees may be paid by check, money order, or exact amount of cash because change cannot be given, Whitmire said.
A pauper’s affidavit may be filed in lieu of paying the qualifying fee.
Qualifying fees for elected offices in Georgia typically are about 3 percent of the annual salary for the post.
If no one qualifies for an office, qualifying will reopen Monday, Aug. 28, at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
“All persons who are not registered to vote and who desire to register to vote in the General Election may register to vote through the close of business Oct. 10, 2023,” according to the Qualifying Fee Notice legal advertisement.
City of Clayton
City of Clayton has three council member seats up for grabs in the Nov. 7 election with Post 3 – Woody Blalock; Post 4 – David Cross, and Post 5 – John Bradshaw. The qualifying fee for each is $54 with a salary of $1,800.
City of Dillard
Council Member Post 2 Gordon Jenkins and Council Member Post 6 Jack Roberts are up for votes this year. The qualifying fee is $36 for each post with a salary of $1,200.
City of Mountain City
Mayor Grace Watts, Council Member Post 1 Michael Holt and Council Member Post 4 Eric McCrackin have seats up for grabs in the upcoming Nov. 7 General Election. The qualifying fee for the mayor is $36 with a salary of $1,200 and the qualifying fee for both council member positions is $15 with a salary of $480.
City of Sky Valley
Mayor Hollie Steil and councilpersons Bill Oliver, Tim Darrah and Bruce Turner have seats up for grabs in the Nov. 7 election. The Sky Valley mayor and councilpersons do not receive a salary, but the qualifying fee is $15 for all positions.
Town of Tallulah Falls
Mayor Mike Early and councilpersons Craig Weatherly and Bill Fountain have seats up for grabs in the upcoming election. The qualifying fee is $27 for the mayor with a salary of $900 and $18 for councilpersons with a salary of $600.
Tallulah Falls also will hold a special election to fill the seat of Councilmember Tom Tilley who recently resigned.
The Rabun County Board of Elections will be holding a called meeting Aug. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the Rabun County Conference Center, 184 S. Main S., Suite 134, Clayton, for the purpose of calling a special election to be held Nov. 7.
Town of Tiger
Mayor Mike Carnes along with all councilpersons Jack Watts, Karen Lovell, Pete Marzilliano, and Danny Wilson all have seats up for grabs in the Nov. 7 upcoming General Election. Qualifying for the mayor is $79 with a salary of $2,640 and councilperson qualifying fee is $34 with a salary of $1,140.
The Rabun County Board of Elections and Registration Office is located at 184 South Main Street, Suite 102, Clayton. For more information about qualifying, general election or how to register to vote, contact Whitmire at 706-782-1878. Visit https://rabuncounty.ga.gov/elections