Continued inaccurate social media entries concerning the Waycross City Commission’s decision to hold the special election to fill its vacant District 4 seat have prompted the Ware County Board of Election and Registration to clarify its role in the city voting process.
Board Chairman Danny Bartlett issued the following statement last week on the board’s role in conducting elections for the city, in this case specifically regarding the seat formerly held by the late Diane Hopkins.
“Under Georgia law, the Ware County Board of Elections and Registration serves as the legally designated elections superintendent for all federal, state, and local elections conducted in Ware County, including those held on behalf of the City of Waycross, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-45 and a standing intergovernmental agreement,” Bartlett’s statement read. “The Board’s role is to administer elections once officially called by the appropriate authority — in this case, the Waycross City Commission.
“The authority to determine if and when a special election should occur rests solely with the governing body of the municipality, not with the Board of Elections. Once a resolution is passed by the City Commission and transmitted to the Elections Board, the board is responsible for executing the election in full compliance with Georgia election law and best practices, including ballot preparation, poll worker training, logistics, and certification of results.”
Supervisor of Elections Carlos Nelson said Thursday, July 24, the five-person board decided to have Bartlett issue a statement after “misconceptions” concerning the board and the special election continued to circulate.
Hopkins was early in the second year of her sixth term representing District 4 when she died January 29 after an extended illness.
The remaining four commissioners were tasked with selecting a date for a special election to fill the seat for the remainder of her term, which expires December 31, 2027.
They voted 3-1 February 18 during their bi-monthly meeting in favor of November 4. Commissioners Shawn Roberts, Sheinita Bennett and Alvin Nelson voted for that date while Katrena Felder was against.
The decision came after the four failed to act on a resolution on the meeting’s agenda to stage the special election June 17.
Prior to the vote, Carlos Nelson — at the commission’s request — presented three dates to hold a special election. They were June 17, September 19 and November 4.
He also offered pros and cons on each date from the board’s perspective, and indicated the June date was its preference.
Citizen input on the matter favored a June vote in order for the district’s citizens to have representation on the commission as soon as possible.
As context, when District 1 Commissioner Norman E. Davis died April 20, 2024, that seat was vacant until Roberts was elected in a December runoff after none of the three candidates collected 50 percent of the vote in another November special election.
Roberts’ seat along with those of Bennett and Felder will be on the November ballot along with the one for District 4.
Qualifying dates for those offices is Tuesday-Friday, August 19-22 in the City Hall office of Clerk Jackie Powell. Fee is $288, which is three percent of a commissioner’s salary.
Candidates can file from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. daily during the four-day period.
Early voting for the offices will be October 14-30 at the board of elections office, 408 Tebeau Street. Hours will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the two Saturdays during the period.
City residents registered by the close of business Monday, October 6 will be eligible to cast a ballot. Voting election day will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at city locations.
