B’shear, Pat’son races, ESPLOST on ballot Nov. 4
Election day is almost here. Voters in Blackshear will choose a mayor, voters in Patterson will choose two city council members and voters countywide will vote on an extension of the Education Special Local Option Sales Tax and statewide voters will elect two members of the public service commission races.
Board of Elections Supervisor Leah Ritch said her office is ready for election day.
Polls will be open election day, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Precincts will be the Pierce County NFC Gym on College Avenue in Blackhear and Eagle Station on Williams Street in Patterson.
Early voting will continue through this Friday, October 31 at the Board of Elections at 312 Nichols Street, Blackshear. Early voting will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There will be no early voting Monday, Nov. 3.
As of Friday, a total of 70 voters had cast ballots for the general election.
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 receive 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.
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.
The statewide races will feature races for public service commission district 2 between Incumbent Republican Tim Echols and Democrat Alicia Johnson. The Public Service Commission District 3 race will feature 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.
Local election results will be featured on The Times’ Facebook page after the polls close Tuesday, Nov. 4.
