Important election dates and sample ballot for Towns County

Community, Election, News
Towns County election sample ballot

HIAWASSEE, Ga – The 2020 General Election is on November 3, and early voting begins on October 12. For anyone interested, please review the official sample ballot below.

Races include President, both United States Senate Seats, House of Representatives District Nine, Public Service Commissioner, State Senator District 50, General Assembly District Eight, Probate Court Judge, Clerk of Superior Court, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, Coroner, County Commissioner, and Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.

Two state constitutional amendments are on the ballot. House Resolution 164 Act No. 597 authorizes the dedication of fees and taxes to their intended purposes by general state law. In other words, if a tax is intended to assist with garbage clean up, then this amendment would ensure the money went toward that purpose. House Resolution 1023 Act No.596 waives state and local sovereign immunity for violation of state laws, state, and federal constitutions. It would allow Georgia citizens to petition the superior court for relief for acts outside the lawful authority scope.

A statewide referendum, House Bill 344 Act No. 149, would except all real estate owned by a purely public charity from the ad valorem tax if the charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

Sample Ballot part 1

Towns County residents can already request an absentee ballot for the election and are highly encouraged to mail it back in as soon as possible.

Early voting will run from October 12 to 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Board of Elections office. It will be open through lunch each day as well. Additionally, Saturday voting will take place on October 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All COVID-19 precautions will be in place, and they recommend the public wear masks, but they aren’t required. The elections officials will have PPE on-hand, hand sanitizer and masks.

On election day, all three precincts in Towns County will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If anyone is interested in being a poll worker, training will occur on Saturday, October 10, at the Civic Center from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please arrive a little early, so elections officials can adequately set up the training room.

Sample Ballot 2

Pay close attention before responding to any absentee ballot mailers

Election, News
absentee ballots mailers

HIAWASSEE, Ga – A group not associated with the Towns County Board of Elections, is actively mailing flyers and calling local voters regarding their absentee ballots’ status.

According to the mailer, these citizens have sent back their absentee ballots, but the state hasn’t yet received it. However, once voters call the board of elections, the county has accepted the absentee ballot in question.

These third-party flyers and callers don’t represent the Towns County Board of Elections or Secretary of State’s office. Citizens who find these mailers in their inbox can ignore it.

Review the Towns County Sample Ballot. 

Board of Elections Chairman Janet Oliva asked the people of Towns County “not to panic” because the flyers “aren’t from us.” They don’t make calls or send out mailers regarding voting issues. Anytime an official problem arises with an absentee ballot, an election official will verify who they are and issue a signed letter on their letterhead. It will also include a call back number for people to reach them.

If anyone has a question about their absentee ballot, they can contact the board of elections or visit the My Georgia Voter page.

Other counties in Georgia and other states, such as Wisconsin, are seeing similar flyers sent to absentee voters. 

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