Early voting ends today; Winder headed for record turnout?

Posted by
Susan Norman
in Top Stories & Breaking News
Friday, November 4. 2011
Comment (1)
Today is the final day of early voting for both the 2011 municipal elections and the countywide special election. And based on the early turnout so far, Election Day in Winder could be one for the record books.

The 438 early votes by Winder residents through Thursday were well over twice the 194 early votes cast in 2007 when Mayor Chip Thompson and his current challenger, Councilman David Maynard, were elected to their first terms.

Winder's strong early turnout also means it is likely that that city’s voters could determine the outcome of the countywide special election on Barrow County's form of government.

Before the final day of early voting, a total of 773 votes had been cast in the countywide special election. In addition to the 438 votes by Winder residents, there were 314 votes by residents of unincorporated Barrow County; 16 votes by Auburn residents, and five votes by residents of Bethlehem. The votes were cast either in person at the Barrow County Board of Elections & Registration or by absentee ballot.

The mayor did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment this week, but Maynard released this statement:

“I would like to urge every able person in Barrow County to vote in the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 8th,” he wrote. “Although it is only a local election, it may impact your daily lives more than any state or national election.

“The outcome of this election could change the way in which the City of Winder and Barrow County function. In Winder you have a choice of leadership styles in the Mayor’s office. In Barrow County you have a choice of actually changing the charter. Get informed, get involved and VOTE!”

HOW TO VOTE

Residents of all cities as well as unincorporated Barrow County may take advantage of the final day of early voting by going to the county elections office before 5 p.m. today. The office is on the first floor of the county administration building at 233 E. Broad St.

Residents of Auburn, Bethlehem and Winder also may cast their city ballots at the same time. The process takes about five minutes, according to elections workers.

For those who would rather go to the traditional polls on Tuesday, all 16 county polling places and the municipal polling places will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

BALLOT CHOICES

Here is a breakdown of what is on each ballot:

• Barrow County – (1) Special Election Referendum Local Act: “Shall the Act be approved which provides for appointment of a county manager for Barrow County; for a part-time chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of Barrow County, with a reduction in pay; and for meetings, voting and quorum of the board?” (2) Special Election Referendum on Sunday Package Sales: “Shall the governing authority of Barrow County, Georgia, be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of both malt beverages and wine on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.?”

• Auburn: Special Election Referendum on Sunday Package Sales – “Shall the governing authority of the City of Auburn, Georgia, be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of both malt beverages and wine on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?”

• Bethlehem: Town Council Post 4 – Doug Koestel, Scott Morgan (I) or C.L. Wood Jr.

• Statham: Council Member At Large – (Vote for two) Perry A. Barton, Rudy Krause or Hattie J. Thrasher (I).

• Winder: For Mayor – David L. Maynard or George “Chip” Thompson (I). For Council Member At Large – Tim Bolt or Lamar Larry Evans. For Council Member Ward 2 – Jim Cooley or Charlie F. Eberhart (I).

There also is a Special Election Referendum on Sunday Package Sales in Winder. The ballot question is: “Shall the governing authority of the City of Winder be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?”
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#1 Not a Dimes difference on 11/04/11 at 11:07 AM [Reply]
UT Ho, bad time to be part of the "I"ncumbent party when votes are pissed off enough to vote in record numbers
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