Early voting is underway for the November 4 municipal elections in Blackshear and Patterson, the county-wide Education Special Local Option Sales Tax and the statewide public service commission races.
Board of Elections Supervisor Leah Ritch said early voting numbers are higher than she anticipated.
“We aren’t breaking records, but we have had more than I thought we would with an off year election,” she said.
As of Monday, a total of 93 voters had cast ballots for the general election.
Early voting will continue through Friday, October 31 at the Board of Elections at 312 Nichols Street, Blackshear. Saturday voting will be held October 25. Early voting will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, including Saturday. There will be no early voting Monday, Nov. 3.
Polls will be open election day, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Precincts will be the Pierce County Gym on College Avenue in Blackshear at Eagle Station, Williams Street, Patterson.
The statewide races will feature races for public service commission district 2 between Incumbent Republican Tim Echols and Democrat Alicia Johnson. Public Service Commission District 3 will be between Incumbent Republican Fitz Johnson and Democrat Peter Hubbard.
The 2025 special election for these two seats was scheduled due to a legal challenge over the method used to elect PSC members, which led to a delay in the 2024 elections.
Voters county-wide will decide whether to continue the current ESPLOST. The proposed extension of the current tax is projected to generate $25 million over the next five years beginning January 1, 2027. Funds from the proposed extension of the ESPLOST will go toward retiring the high school construction bonds.
Proceeds will also be used for various improvements to all school campuses and the central office, security needs, instructional materials, school buses and maintenance equipment.
Blackshear and Patterson will have municipal races. Only residents in those cities will be eligible to participate in the municipal elections.
Blackshear will have a contested mayor’s race.
Incumbent Mayor Keith Brooks drew challenges from Gena Harris and Marie S. Rainge.
Blackshear currently has 2,229 registered voters who are eligible to cast ballots in the mayor’s race.
A candidate must received 50 percent plus one to win the mayoral election. If no candidate receives 50 percent plus one, a run-off will be held Tuesday, December 2.
There will be no other contested races in Blackshear.
Patterson will have contested elections for two city council seats.
Incumbent Jim Echols and Ray Douberly are running for the district two seat, while Incumbent David Smith, David Bowen and Racquell Scott will face off for the district four post.
A simple majority is all that is required for city council seat elections in Patterson. The candidate receiving the most votes wins.
Patterson currently has 526 registered voters who are eligible to cast ballots in the mayor’s race and both council seats.
