The May 19 Primary Election is really not that far off. The General Election is Nov. 3.
Some folks may think a primary doesn’t make an impact as does a general election. However, we believe the results of these primary contests could still impact White County residents at the local, state and national levels.
So, sitting this one out just because it is a primary election really isn't in a citizen's best interest. Not if you want a chance to select who you believe to be the best candidate to fill a spot on a long list of important leadership positions.
White County residents will vote to fill the District 2 and 3 seats on the county commission, now served by Lyn Holcomb and Ed Nix, respectively.
The District 2 and 4 seats on the Board of Education, now served by John Solman and Linda Erbele, respectively, will also be up for grabs.
White County voters must also decide whether they want ESPLOST, the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, to continue. This one penny sales tax can only be used toward school system capital projects, including facility construction and upgrades, technology and transportation. Voters approved the current ESPLOST in 2020. The proposed referendum sets the maximum funding cap at $52 million and stipulates that the General Obligation Debt may not exceed $32 million.
There are non-partisan elections too; for five seats on the Georgia Intermediate Appellate Court and two seats on the Georgia Supreme Court.
At the state level, White County voters can weigh in on filling district seats 3 and 5 on the Public Service Commission. This body makes critical decisions pertaining to utility companies – such as rates – and energy resources.
Voters will also select a state school superintendent, a labor commissioner, an insurance and fire safety commissioner, an agriculture commissioner, a secretary of state, an attorney general, a lieutenant governor and a governor.
At the federal level, White County voters will have a say in who will serve them in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate.
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary is April 20. Voters who want to vote in advance of the May 19 Primary can do so from April 27 - May 15.
Voters can go to the Georgia My Voter Page (https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/) to check on their registration status, poll location, early voting locations and elected officials, or to view a sample ballot.
Residents can also contact the county elections and registration office at 706-865-7812 or visit https://www.whitecountyga.gov/elections-and-registration.