Early voting has been at a trickle so far in Cleveland and Helen municipal elections.
As of Monday, Oct. 28, only 24 people out 518 registered voters in Helen had cast ballots in the city commissioners race, says Marilyn Chastain, Helen city clerk. There are two commission seats up for re-election and three candidates vying for those seats: incumbents Jeff Ash and Cinnamon Spurlock, and former commissioner Fred Garmon.
In Cleveland, only 30 absentee and in-person early voting ballots had been cast as of Monday for a “brunch bill” referendum, says Connie Tracas, Cleveland city clerk. There are currently 2,021 registered voters in Cleveland, says Lisa Manning, White County chief voter registrar.
The Cleveland referendum asks voters to decide if the city should allow the sale of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages on Sunday’s 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 this year – mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 2 – however, the incumbents, Shan Ash (mayor), Nan Bowen (Ward 1) and Annie Sutton (Ward 2) were unchallenged.
Early voting ends Friday, Nov. 1, and takes place at the Cleveland and Helen city halls. Election Day voting will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. On this day, voting will take place at Helen City Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For Cleveland residents, voting will take place at Cleveland First Baptist Church.