Voters Go to the Polls Today for Georgia General Primary

It is General Primary Election Day in Georgia and across the state, voters are going to the polls to select candidates for state and federal races as well as decide local races.

Polls opened at 7a and if you plan to vote today, you need to remember to bring your valid photo ID card.   Also, remember you will go to your regular precinct polling place today to cast your ballot. 

And when you go to vote today, you will have to declare which party ballot you want.  Sample ballots are available at all poling places for voters to review.

In Franklin County, two County Commission seats, District3 and District 4 are being contested.

For District 3, incumbent county commissioner Jeff Jacques is being challenged by retired businessman and volunteer firefighter Perry Hart.

Jacques, a civil engineer with C.W. Matthews Contractors in Gainesville, is running on a platform of expanding the county’s water/sewer system, building a countywide natural gas line, and brining in new businesses and industry to the county.   Jacques would also like to level the property tax playing field by finding a system that is more fair and balanced.

Perry, meantime, said if he’s elected, he will work to improve the county’s road system by working to get dirt roads paved faster.  

In the District 4 County Commission race, incumbent county commissioner the Rev. Clint Harper is facing challenger local businessman Eddie Wester.

Harper said if re-elected, he will continue to focus on people and to that end will continue his efforts to boost the county’s economy  by instituting a solid economy development plan.  Harper also believes the county must work on expanding natural gas throughout the entire county and continuing to expand county water service.  Harper is also against anything that would increase taxes.

Wester, agrees economic development is the key to the county’s success in the future. Wester also wants to rein in fiscal spending and says he will keep the best interest of citizens foremost in making decisions.

In the Franklin County Board of Education races, Posts 3 and 4 are up for grabs.

For the Post 3 seat, incumbent Bo Lowery is being challenged by pharmacist Sherry Williams.

Lowery is running on a platform of experience and training.   If re-elected, Lowery said he will continue to work with the other board members and administration to provide the best school system possible.

Sherry Williams, meantime, cites her involvement in the PTO, school council, sports and other volunteer efforts as her qualifications for holding a school board seat.

Williams believes three main areas need to be addressed by the school board; academics, support and build extracurricular programs for students and third, she believes the board must work in unity to move the school system in the right direction.

In the Post 4 race, two newcomers are running to fill the seat of outgoing board member Kent Hall.

Local special ed teacher Leah Harper cites her experience as an elementary school teacher and special ed teacher which she says gives her an insight into the needs of teachers and students.  Harper believes the school boards biggest challenge is instituting the new Common Core curriculum, as well as continued funding and teacher cuts. 

Harper’s challenger, Alan Mitchell is a UGA graduate in the agriculture industry and owns a poultry and cattle farm in Franklin County.  With three children in the Franklin County school system, ,Mitchell said if elected, he will focus on the budget to find the best way to utilize the funds available.

All board of education candidates are running as Republicans.  Whoever wins today’s election, will run unopposed in November.

All candidates running for the County Commission and Board of Education seats are Republicans.  Whoever gets the most votes in either race today,  will win the seat and run unopposed in November.