Election Day has arrived; polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today

Election Day 2011 has arrived.

Today, city voters go to municipal polling places to decide every contested municipal race throughout Barrow. And county polling places will be open for all city and county voters to cast ballots in the countywide special election on two ballot issues: (1) Sunday alcohol sales by the package and (2) amending Barrow County's governing laws to have a professional county manager run the county government's day-to-day operations.

The voting today was preceded by strong early voting that ended Friday. The turnout in Winder, where there are three contested races on the ballot and a separate city vote on Sunday alcohol sales, could be strong. In fact, due to the heavy turnout anticipated for the mayoral election, Winder voters could heavily influence – if not control – the outcome of the county's special election.

All 16 county polling locations, as well as municipal polling places in Auburn, Bethlehem, Braselton, Statham and Winder, will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. The only town without a municipal election is Carl.

Here are the races and issues 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.?”

Comments

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#1 when In doubt............ask on 11/08/11 at 05:12 AM [Reply]

Sunday sales of alcohol is a hot topic, so I am Just curious........What is the local laws regarding alcohol sales on election day? Some stores keep on selling and several others say it is against the law.I'm not up early hoping to go make a purchase, it is just something I've wondered about on previous voting days.

#1.1 Anonymous on 11/08/11 at 05:51 AM [Reply]

In Winder you can but it on election day

#2 DuWayne R. Anderson on 11/08/11 at 06:17 AM [Reply]

Please take the time today to vote. There are several important issues facing voters. We have the opportunity to increase the number of voters casting ballots, so let's get the vote out today, and let our voices be heard. With 1,000 early voters casting ballots,it would seem that a trend may be developing to ensure that the citizens are serious about taking back their county and city governments.
Regardless of which side you are on in relation to the issues, the most important thing that matters is that you vote! Push the button in that voting booth, and make a difference..........
DuWayne

#3 BLINDED BY THE LIGHT! on 11/08/11 at 06:48 AM [Reply]

It's time to get the "Chip" off of our
shoulders! Vote "Maynard" for Mayor!
It is certainly time to get the City of Winder
out of its 1950's mind set.

#4 Anonymous on 11/08/11 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

Will we be able to vote on the county manager or will this be decided by the board?

#4.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 11/08/11 at 12:40 PM [Reply]

The board will hire and fire the county manager.

#4.2 Anonymous on 11/08/11 at 02:02 PM [Reply]

IOW, if you vote in a so-called county manager system and don't like what he does, you can just pound sand. He won't be accountable to the voters -- just to the well-bored board.

#4.2.1 Robert Lanham on 11/08/11 at 02:36 PM [Reply]

You could look at it that way, or you could look at it a different way. If Yearwood were an appointed county manager instead of the elected Chairman, he would have been unemployed over a year ago. I have a lot of faith in the board finding the right person for the job - a lot more faith in the board collectively than in the Chairman alone.

#4.2.1.1 we on 11/08/11 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

the voter made a choice, we will be transferring that choice to the board, I like having the choice and ability to pick who runs my county.

maybe we had an error with yearwood, but lets not compound one error with two by giving up what little control as voter we do have in the running and choosing who we want to run our County, if we as voters dont like the board or chairman we can replace that person, once we give up choosing who is making our choices and once we give up that to unelected person we has voter loose one more bit of control in holding an indiviuald accountable, like many say in Mr
Yearwood, however many seem upset with the whole or most of the board currently in place, and voting yes would give this board including mr yearwood less personal accountabilty to us putting the hard choices off on well that a day to day item the managers deals with, not our job anymore.

I say vote NO

#4.2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/08/11 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

your logic is flawed in one major way. With the current system ,US the voters only get a say or a voice every 4 years. With a county manager system,(remember he's only running things day to day)if enough voters raise enough hell with enough commisioner then he will be gone and replace by someone else. The Board including the chairman will set policy and hold the manager to the policy.
I say vote yes

#4.2.1.1.1.1 idoubt on 11/08/11 at 04:06 PM [Reply]

looking at the turnout dont think most outside of winder give a hoot to change the way things are........ we will see but from reports the rest the county doesnt think Yearwood is the problem

#5 Annie Omus on 11/08/11 at 11:31 AM [Reply]

Can anyone kindly explain why only the voters inside the city limits are allowed to Vote for the Mayor? If his/her decisions affect my safety and my wallet while living outside the City limits; why can't I vote? I cannot seem to find that answer anywhere.

#6 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 11/08/11 at 12:55 PM [Reply]

Because you don't live inside the district. Just like you don't get to vote for the Congressmen from Alabama, you can't vote for a candidate when you don't live in their district.

#7 predictions?? on 11/08/11 at 02:37 PM [Reply]

unsure as to much of i, but think three thousand voter when all is done but that is county wide, just a guess

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Election Day has arrived; polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today

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Election Day has arrived; polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today

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