What's Happening in Our Town's Election?
The Rundown
Print Story by: Emmie Reeves
Bulloch County Races
City Council
A special election will coincide with the general election to fill the vacant District 1 seat on the Statesboro City Council left by the resignation of Phil Boyum. John Grotheer, Ken Jackson, and Tangie Reese Johnson each qualified to be on the ballot with hopes of fulfilling Boyum’s unexpired term.
Tax Commissioner
Incumbent Leslie D. Akins (R) is running for Tax Commissioner so she can continue to oversee the taxing process in Bulloch County. She is running unopposed on the ballot.
Clerk of Superior Court
Incumbent Heather Banks McNeal (R) is running with no opposition for Clerk of Superior Court to serve as the official record keeper and administrator of Bulloch County.
Solicitor General
Incumbent Catherine Sumner Finley (R) is running unopposed for Solicitor General so she can continue to serve as the chief lawyer representing Bulloch County in misdemeanor cases.
District Attorney
Robert Busbee beat incumbent Daphne Totten in the Republican primary and is running with no opposition in the general election for the position of Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney.
Sheriff
Incumbent Sheriff Noel J. Brown (R) is running unopposed for the position as chief law enforcement officer of Bulloch County.
Coroner
Incumbent Richard Pylant did not seek reelection as the coroner. Deputy Coroner Craig R. Tremble (D) is running against Chuck Francis (R) for the responsibility of certifying the cause of death, identifying the body, notifying the next of kin, and returning anybelongings for those who die in Bulloch County.
Surveyor
Incumbent John A. Dotson (R) is running unopposed for the office of Surveyor so he can continue serving as the head of land surveying for Bulloch County.
The Cancellation of First Fridays Podcast
Podcast by: Jose Galvan
Bulloch County Ballots
As a Georgia Southern University student, I am neither an official resident nor a registered voter in Bulloch County. Consulting the ballot generator shared my hometown ballot with me rather than a ballot covering the local races in Bulloch County. To gather information about the upcoming local races in Statesboro, I contacted the Bulloch County Voter Registrar. The Elections Supervisor, Shontay Jones explained
that the office is currently finalizing local ballots which will be available on the website within the next couple of weeks. Ballots will vary by district and will be personalized to each voter based on his or her address. The information below is a compilation of candidates and issues that will appear on the ballots in Bulloch County this November. Whether you are a Bulloch County registered voter, or a temporary resident like I am, it is important to be aware of the candidates and issues in the Statesboro area.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments
Source: Bulloch County sample ballot
-1-
Provides for a general law state-wide homestead exemption that may differentiate among political subdivisions
House Resolution No. 1022 Ga. L. 2024, p. 1191
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?” Yes or No
-2-
Provides for a state-wide Georgia Tax Court
House Resolution No. 598 Ga. L. 2024, p. 1189
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for the Georgia Tax Court to be vested with the judicial power of the state and to have venue, judges, and jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts?” Yes or No
Statewide Referendum Question
Source: Bulloch County sample ballot
Personal Property Tax Exemption Increase Measure
-A-
Raises amount of tangible personal property exemption from $7,500.00 to $20,000.00 House Bill 808 Act No. 581, Ga. L. 2024, p. 696
“Do you approve the Act that increases an exemption from property tax for all tangible property from $7,500.00 to $20,000.00?” Yes or No
A Voter's Guide
Prior to Election Day presidential, congressional and gubernatorial races receive excessive media attention, while the local races which decide who serves the immediate community such as the sheriffs, coroners, county commissioners, and school board members typically receive less coverage. To find the races and ballot measures on which you’ll be casting your vote check a ballot generator such as GA My Voter Page. Sites like this one provide a list of the federal, state and local candidates and issues that will appear on your ballot based on your address so you can research and evaluate each one.
Online Resources and Websites
Once you know who is on the ballot, you can use online resources to research the candidates’ backgrounds and their positions on issues and policies. It is wise to consult multiple sources including both nonpartisan websites and campaign websites to get a thorough sense of each candidate. For some races, you may be familiar with an incumbent who is running for reelection. To make an informed decision, it is important to learn about all the candidates on the ballot whether they currently hold an office or not. Online resources also can be used to find contextual information on ballot measures such as referendums or proposed amendments.
Social Media
To get a better sense of the candidates’ values and priorities access them via social media. Check out each candidate’s Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram account and YouTube channel including the posts and comments to see how he or she engages with the public on a day-to-day basis.
Traditional Media
Turn to your local media outlets including newspapers, radio programs, and television news to get to know the candidates. These sources can provide details about candidates including public appearances, rallies or debates, as well as any recent statements they have made to prospective voters or the media. Be careful when it comes to radio and television advertisements since they can be negative in nature and may present a candidate’s words or actions out of context.
The last day to register to vote in Georgia, was October 7th. If you are a college student registered in your hometown, your request for an absentee ballot must be received by October 25, and your ballot returned by November 5 for your vote to count. Early in-person voting throughout the state of Georgia begins on October 15 and ends on November 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5 with polls open across the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you live out of state, check with your local Board of Elections for details.
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Graphic by: Hannah Clay
Picture Credits: Grice Connect
State Legislative Races
Georgia General Assembly
There are several races for the Georgia Assembly depending on a voter’s district including one for State Senate and three for State House of Representatives. Incumbent Billy Hickman (R) is running unopposed for State Senate District 4. There are three districts in Bulloch County voting for candidates to represent them in the Georgia State House of Representatives. Incumbent Lehman Franklin (R) is running with no opposition for State House of Representatives District 160, and incumbent Jon G. Burns (R) is running unopposed for District 159. For State House of Representatives District 158, incumbent Butch Parrish (R) is running against Madeline Ryan Smith (D).
Federal Races
President of the United States
The ballot for the next U.S. president includes six names; however, only four of the candidates’ votes will count on Election Night per the September 25 ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court. Independent candidate West and Claudia De la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberation did not qualify to be on Georgia's ballots because their presidential electors did not each submit a separate petition with the 7,500 signatures required for entry. This ruling leaves former President Donald J. Trump (R), Vice President Kamala D. Harris (D), Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver and Green Party candidate Jill Stein in the race for the nation’s leader.
U.S. House of Representives
The 2024 candidates hoping to serve as the representative and federal law maker for U.S. House Georgia District 12 are incumbent Rick Allen (R) and Elizabeth “Liz” Johnson (D). These candidates faced one another in the 2022 general election where Allen beat Johnson 158,047 to 107,148 votes or 59.6% to 40.4%.
Bulloch Action Committee vs Downtown Statesboro Develop Authority
Package by: Ariana Walker
Races Decided in May 2024
Judicial
The results of the primary election held in May decided several races which will not be part of the ballots for the general election in November. Voters reelected Karen Riggs Jones (NP) Magistrate Court Judge meaning she will continue hearing civil cases in Bulloch County for another term. Voters reelected Lorna Deloach (NP) Probate Court Judge so she will continue deciding cases involving wills, licenses, and traffic tickets in
the coming term.
Board of Education
Lannie L. Lanier ran uncontested for his District 1 Board of Education seat, while incumbent Maurice Hill ran unopposed for the Board’s District 8 seat. Stuart Tedders did not seek reelection for his District 3 seat which went to Jennifer Mock who earned 278 compared to Suzanne Hallman’s 139 votes, earning her 66.67% to 33.3% victory. Lisha Nevil challenged Incumbent Heather Mims’ District 7 Board of Education seat. Nevil, the challenger, won 630 votes to 622 votes, earning her a 50.32% victory over the incumbent’s 49.68%.
Graphic by: Hannah Clay
Word of Mouth
Another way to learn about a candidate is by word of mouth. Talk to your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members to hear what they think about the candidates. Casual discussions may lead to a different perspective on a candidate or issue that you might have not previously considered. If possible, talk to candidates themselves or attend a rally or debate in person.
Whether you are voting by mail, taking part in early in-person voting, or heading to the polls on November 5, it is important to be informed regarding each race and question on the ballot. With Election Day a little over a month away, gathering information about the candidates at every level on the ballot as well as researching ballot questions will help prepare you for casting our ballot with confidence.