Early voting begins Monday

The early voting period for municipal elections in Cleveland and Helen begins next week.

Advance balloting will be held from Monday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cleveland City Hall, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Helen City Hall.

For the Cleveland election, the only item on the ballot will be the referendum question in regards
to the “brunch bill.” If approved, this would allow the sale of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages on Sundays beginning at 11 a.m. instead of the current start at 12:30 p.m.

Three Cleveland City Council positions were slated to be up for re-election – mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 2. However, the incumbents, Shan Ash (mayor), Nan Bowen (Ward 1) and Annie Sutton (Ward 2) were unchallenged after the qualifying period ended.

Three candidates will be vying for two spots on the Helen City Commission. Those candidates are incumbents Jeff Ash and Cinnamon Spurlock and former commissioner Fred Garmon.

If an absentee ballot is needed, the person can sub- mit a request, and it will be sent out during early voting weeks.
Cleveland voters who wait until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will go to Cleveland First Baptist to cast their ballots. Helen voters will still go to city hall on Election Day.