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Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Poll workers are gearing up for early voting and the Nov. 8 election. Shay Harbin, office assistant; and absentee poll workers Elaine Lawson; Rick Crouse; Mary Ann Rich; and Virginia Anderson work to mail out absentee ballots to voters on Tuesday.
The Rabun County Board of Elections Office is gearing up for Election Day as early voting starts Monday, Oct. 17.
Voters can cast their ballots at the Rabun County Board of Elections Office, 184 South Main Street, Suite 102, Clayton, during early voting Oct. 17-22, Oct. 24-29, and Oct. 31-Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office also will be open for Saturday voting Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Polls open for Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the elections office.
On the ballot for local races are Republican candidate for Magistrate Judge James V. Blalock; Republican incumbent for County Commission Post 4 Kent Woerner; Republican incumbent for County Commission Post 5 Scott Crane; Republican incumbent Curtis Haban for Board of Education Post 1; and Republican incumbent for Board of Education Post 3 Mark Beck.
The City of Sky Valley will hold a special election to fill the unexpired term of Ed Morley. Voters can decide between Tim Darrah and Susie Piontkowski.
State races include candidates Democrat Stacey Abrams and Libertarian Shane Hazel running against incumbent Brian Kemp for Governor; candidates Democrat Bee Nguyen and Libertarian Ted Metz running against Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger for Secretary of State; candidates Republican Tyler Harper, Democrat Nakita Hemingway and David Raudabaugh running for Commissioner of Agriculture; Democrat Paulette Williams running against Republican incumbent Bo Hatchett for State Senate-District 50; and Victor E. Anderson running unopposed for State House of Representatives-District 10.
In the federal race for United States Senate, Republican candidate Herschel Junior Walker is running against Democrat incumbent Raphael Warnock.
Voters also will see questions regarding proposed constitutional amendments and statewide referendum questions.
Absentee Ballot Applications
Tammy Whitmire, elections supervisor, said sample ballots are available at the Rabun County Board of Elections Office and the Georgia My Voter Page, mvp.sos.ga.gov. Whitmire said she encourages voters to look at the ballot ahead of time before showing up on election day “so they can be prepared.”
Whitmire said the mailing of Absentee Ballot Applications began Tuesday and the last day to turn in applications to request Absentee Ballots is Oct. 28. She said the ballots can be returned to the ballot box in the lobby of the elections office during early voting times.
Absentee Ballot must be turned in by 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, and if they are turned in on Election Day they must be hand-delivered to Whitmire.
Whitmire said a photo ID is required in order to vote.
Shuttle to the polls
Whitmire said Rabun Transit will be providing shuttles for those in need during the early voting period. Anyone needing a ride can call 706-782-3853 and request a time with Rabun Transit to be shuttled from their residence to the elections office for early voting. On Election Day Nov. 8, Rabun Transit will offer shuttles from the parking lot of Clayton Baptist Church between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Write-in candidates
Certified Write-In Candidates for the Nov. 8 Election include Kyle Shook for Magistrate Judge; Milton J. Lofton and David C. Byrne for Governor; and Brenda Lynn Nelson-Porter for Secretary of State.